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"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of
His might". Eph. 6:10 (NASB) Everyone wishes to be
strong and mighty. In fact, God wants us to be strong in
Him, to be secure in His might. In this matter, the role
of one's relationship with God cannot be
over-emphasized. Without the presence of the Almighty
God, man is weak and weary. A wandering mind and lack of
confidence make him restless and listless.
When Cain was driven out of the presence of God, he
became a restless wanderer.
He said to God, “Today you are driving me from the land,
and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a
restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me
will kill me" (Genesis 4:14).
When David sinned against God, he lost the abiding
presence of God. He felt sad; an unwilling spirit crept
in. He was reluctant to obey God. So, when he repented,
he prayed, “Do not cast me from your presence or take
your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your
salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."
(Ps. 51:11-12)
Jonah, the disobedient prophet, sank to the deepest
parts of the Mediterranean. He was so frightened that he
thought he had sunk to the roots of the mountains. His
prayer is recorded in his book. “I said, 'I have been
banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward
your holy temple.' The engulfing waters threatened me,
the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my
head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the
earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my
life up from the pit, O LORD my God.” (Jonah 2:4-6)
These instances illustrate how man gets depressed, timid
and hopeless apart from God's favor and presence. The
presence of God in any one's life gives him/her courage,
power and strength to face any of life's situations. All
people, irrespective of religion and language, can enjoy
the presence of the Creator in their lives. God is not a
respecter of persons. He loves every single person in
this world and longs to make His dwelling with them.
That was the very reason behind God revealing Himself to
mankind through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was called
Emmanuel, ‘God with us.' Jesus Christ, the Saviour of
the world, has made it possible for us to dwell with
God.
Man must be strengthened by the might of God; this is
not an option. Every single person in the world is in a
battle field and he/she needs the power and strength of
God in order to win the battle. The Bible says that our
minds are battle fields where the adversary, the devil,
hurls his attacks. Paul says there are arguments,
thoughts and pretensions in the mind that stand up
against the knowledge of God. “We demolish arguments and
every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to
make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor.10:5). Further, our
minds are inclined to conform to the sinful world and
its standards. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern
of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will”
(Rom 12:2).
We need to be prepared to be under the will and purposes
of God and to overcome every perilous situation. Our
readiness shows our strength and might that lead us to
victory. Fear and distractions denote our weakness that
leads us to utter failure. Everything that is against
the knowledge and will of God makes us weak and fearful.
Selfish ambition, envy, bitterness, hatred,
disobedience, insubordination, rage, hypocrisy,
arrogance are some of the 'nuclear weapons' that the
devil unleashes in our lives. The irony is many mistake
these for factors that strengthen their lives. The fact
is, these are sins that deprive us the presence of God.
Trusting completely in God and having confidence in Him
brings strength and power in our lives. “The LORD is my
strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is
my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I
will exalt him”. Exodus 15:2
Love the Lord and surrender to His will. Set your goals
according to His purposes. This will help you to enjoy
God's presence. “Love the LORD your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”
(Deut 6:5)
The Bible says obeying God's commandments will
strengthen us to overcome every adverse situation.
“Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you
today, so that you may have the strength to go in and
take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to
possess” (Deut 11:8)
Instead of arguing and fighting, repent and quieten
yourself. These bring the might of God in our lives.
“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of
Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isa 30:15)
One who waits upon the Lord in prayer will renew his/her
strength. “He gives strength to the weary and increases
the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in
the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on
wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint” (Isa. 40:29-31.)
Receiving the Holy Spirit will strengthen us with God's
might and power. But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the
ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
Therefore, God has made provision for us to be strong in
Him. Let us experience it in our lives! |
