The Strength of God
Sometimes it seems like the world and all it throws at us is more than we can stand. It is hard to wrap your mind around how so much evil can exist and being able to find the faith to face it.
We look at that mountain and it looks impossible to climb but the strength God gives us goes well beyond our simple understanding.
It is sometimes more than we think we can stand but nothing is more than God can handle.
His words give us promises to hold on to and find strength in.
Hebrews 13:5-6
5 'Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”'
Hebrews 4:16
16 'Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.'
Psalms 46:1-2
1 'God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;'
Matthew 11:28-30
28 'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”'
Revelation 21:4
4 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”'
Looking at scripture it is full of people that the power of God led them to victory. People that you would not have believed to be able to do the things they went on to do.
One prime example is David and Goliath. Here is little boy that through the strength of God is able to slay a mighty giant, Goliath and allow the Israelites to go on to victory.
Paul was beaten, abused and imprisoned but he went on to lead many people to Christ and never lost faith. He said in 2nd Corinthians chapter 12:8-10
8 'Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. '
10 'Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.'
Paul knew his strength did not come from himself but in his weakness, he found strength in God.
In our darkest moments Hebrews reminds us that God will never leave us nor forsake us. When we feel alone and overwhelmed, we can hold onto the promise that God is with us.
The promise that He will never leave us, and never forsake us is a reminder that we are never alone in our struggles. God will never abandon us and just leave us to fend for ourselves.
Hebrews 4:16 is an example of God inviting us to come to Him boldly and expecting Him to be there for us in those times of trial. He does not say we won’t go through those trials but He promises to walk with us pouring out His grace and mercy.
Revelations 21:4 shows us the victory that is Christ Jesus. God will wipe away every tear form our eyes. There is no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. We have a promise in this of a time free from pain and the suffering of this world.
These promises of God are not just mere words on paper but are the solid foundation on which we can stand.
As we go through trials, we have to hold strong to His promises being confident in the knowledge that God is ever present with us. And that in our weakness His strength is made perfect.
D. L. Moody said, “when a man has no strength, if he leans on God, he becomes powerful.”
As we face the trials of this life it is easy to feel overwhelmed and yes even defeated.
But when we invite God into our lives, we are bringing in the one who has all power, all authority and all victory. This should change our perspective to focus on Him and His strength not our feebleness.
The role of our faith truly comes into play when it comes to experiencing the victory of God in life.
As I have said before it is not good enough to have a head knowledge of God but instead, we have to have a heart knowledge of Him. He has to not only be allowed into our lives He has to be allowed to be Lord of our life.
A W. Tozzer said “Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.”
To Gaze upon something is to not just make a fleeting glance but to focus on something to allow it to change our response. If we gaze at God with faith we will begin to see His victory not our trials.
Remember this victory is not a future thing it is reality now Jesus said in John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus did not say He will overcome the world He said “take heart I have overcome the world”