STRENGTH OF THE
LORD
INTRODUCTION
Strength of the Lord is a core concept representing the belief that individuals can endure, overcome, and find refuge through divine power rather than their own limited capabilities. This theme resonates throughout scripture serving as a reminder of grace and perseverance.
Unto Apostle Paul the Lord revealed: My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9); The Prophet Nehemiah proclaimed: The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10); and the Psalmist David: The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped (Psalm 28:7).
Strength of the Lord
Dependence
Strength of the Lord lies in dependence on the Lord; in both low and high peaks of life. Apostle Paul wrote: I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. I know how both to be abased (live humbly), and I know how to abound (live in prosperity); everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ, which strengthened me (Philippians 4:12-13). Paul’s undivided attention was on the Lord; even in seemingly dark hours of his life. Scripture reveals: He was in danger of death often, three times beaten with rods, suffered shipwreck, a night and a day in the deep (sea), and in danger of robbers.
He was in painfulness, in hunger and thirst often, along with other tribulations (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Paul affirmed: God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed forevermore, knows I lie not, in reference to the trials and tribulations he suffered with the strength of the Lord being his benefactor.
The Christian Walk
Strength of the Lord is imperative as one walks the Christian walk, especially in countries where there is opposition and persecution, going forth as a light to the furtherance of the Gospel message and saving of the soul. Satan and his cohorts does what they can to stir one away from the Gospel message (2 Corinthians 4:4), with some today openly opposing spreading the truth of the Gospel.
There is disposition to dwarf proclaiming the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God by those who are supportive of the progressive social gospel that fails to identify sinful lifestyles that are gaining in popularity. Thank God for godly individuals who stand firm in proclaiming the Gospel message, even in the midst of suffering reproach for doing so; in proclaiming God’s Word without compromise.
Apostle Paul noted a time when the people will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts (desires) shall reap to themselves teachers, having itching ears (receptive to what they want to hear); who shall turn away the ears (hearing) from the truth, and shall be turned into fables (that which is fictitious) (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Renewed in Strength
The Prophet Isaiah proclaimed: They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31). It was noted that waiting upon the Lord to renew one's strength is a spiritual strength, which the natural man cannot have but the converted man can, to enable one to persevere, to endure afflictions and persecutions.
It was noted that some shall run and not be weary, some shall walk and not faint, some shall soar aloft (as an eagle); while others that cannot rise and fly so swiftly, shall walk without fainting. In all these categories one’s strength was not in their own ability but through the strength of the Lord and His helping hand through difficulties in life.
Wrong Source
We live an age of information; whether it be factual or false. It was noted that we are bombarded with words, via computer-based devices, television, movies, and radio, but have we heard a word from the Lord? By far more than we need to hear any other word, we need to hear the Word of God and allow His Word to give direction in our lives.
There is a falling away from hearing the Word of God; as man elevates himself into the perplexities of life by seeking pleasantries that would obscure what God originally intended for man. His creation of man and woman in the Garden of Eden, who later turned to the wrong source of information rather than strict adherence to His Word (Genesis 3:6) which was costly to them as well as mankind as a whole.
God's Intervention
Strength of the Lord is mentioned by the Prophet Isaiah, in speaking the word of the Lord, saying: Fear you not; for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10).
Israel had failed at times, victorious in other times, but God’s unfailing hand had been there to gird them up in keeping His promises, beginning with Abraham to present day circumstances; even in the midst of judgment for failure to look to Him, God provided eventful restoration.
Deliverance
Strength of the Lord is pointed out in a poem entitled: This too will Pass Away by an unknown author, with these words: If I can endure for this minute whatever is happening to me, no matter how heavy my heart is or how dark the moment may be. If I can remain calm and quiet with my entire world crashing about me secure in the knowledge God loves me.
If I can but keep on believing what I know in my heart to be true that darkness will fade with the morning and that this will pass away too; then nothing in life can defeat me. For as long as this knowledge remains I can suffer whatever is happening, for I know God will break all the chains that are binding me tight in the darkness trying to fill me with fear.
For there is no night, without dawning and I know that my morning is near. When times of discouragement seem to evade the soul of man, God can open the door to reveal the strength of the Lord is at hand, as with the rising of the sun darkness fades away, troubling aspects of life can rapidly dissipate at the hand of the Lord as well.
Facing Adversity
King David knew firsthand the necessity of having the strength of the Lord, in writing: It is God that girds me with strength and makes my way perfect (Psalm 18:32). God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). In the day when I cried (cried out) you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in your name (Psalm 138:3).
As a youth, and shepherd boy, David faced the giant Goliath. His testimony to the king as to his ability to do so was how the strength of the Lord was prevalent early in his life, in saying: Your servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock.
I went out after him, and delivered it out of his mouth, and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and slew him (1 Samuel 17:34-35). David’s confidence was born out of experience of the Lord’s previous deliverances on his behalf. David was victorious, with the strength of the Lord with him, on that eventful day, when he faced and was victorious over the giant Goliath.
Trial of Your Faith
Apostle Peter wrote: We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein you greatly rejoice, through now for a season; if need be, you are in heaviness (distressed) through manifold (numerous) temptations (1 Peter 1:5-6). There are those today in the furnace of affliction, some in heaviness due to the perplexities of life weighing them down, yet stand on the promises of God’s Word.
The strength of the Lord comes from Jesus’ promise: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). Jesus speaks of an inner peace that can only come through acceptance of Him as Lord and Savior, showing Him to be just that, by trusting and keeping confidence in Him.
Endurance to the End
Apostle Peter revealed the need for the strength of the Lord, in writing: The trial (genuineness) of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried (tested) with fire, might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing (revelation) of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).
Jesus described the characteristics of the time leading to the end of the age. He said there would be religious deception, political unrest, natural disasters, wars, and the persecution of believers in Him (Matthew 24:5-12). In the face of all these, Jesus said: He that endures to the end, the same shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).
Salvation of the Soul
A man of God was asked: If given an hour to explain the Gospel to someone, how would he do so? He said he would spend the first fifty minutes on the bad news of judgment and then the last ten minutes on the good news of salvation, because without the context of judgment one would not appreciate or even understand salvation. Real strength lies in allowing God’s convicting power into one’s life to set the proper course towards salvation of the soul.
Jesus gave an invitation: I stand at the door, and knock (door of one’s heart); if any man hear my voice, and open the door (only you can), I will come in to him, and will sup (dine or fellowship) with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). Strength of the Lord is in knowing Jesus, as Lord and Savior.
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