Renew Our Strength

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/2ryoeq

I never understood the frustration of someone seriously ill until I also became ill. I had heard others speaking of their loss of strength and the long recovery time to regain their energy, but I didn’t fully appreciate it until much later on.

It’s no fair to have your strength drained from you overnight. Neither is it a pleasant thought to think about rehabilitation, training and weeks or months of effort just to return to where you were before you became ill. But then, if you really want to renew your strength after an illness, there is no shortcut. You must follow the plan.

When we think about our spiritual strength we need to understand that our strength comes from God. Samson is a good example of this. In Judges 16:15-17 we are told that his strength was in his hair. His enemies exploited this and shaved his head. Powerless, they were able to take Samson captive.

Satan seeks to exploit our strength as well. He seeks to find where we are the weakest and nibble away until he can find a way into our lives. Once there, he will continue to drain us of our spiritual energy. We must not allow this to happen.

God granted great victories and strength to His people. They obeyed God and the walls of Jericho fell in Joshua 6. But then the spies from the Promised Land in Numbers 13-14 chose not to believe in God’s strength and the ten bad spies die. And don’t forget about Aaron and Hur in Exodus 17:8-16 helping Moses to keep his hands held up so the victory would be theirs. Friends, God offers us strength and victory. We need to choose to accept it.

To renew our spiritual strength we need to remember that the source of our power comes from God. There is assurance in knowing that we have a redeemer, salvation and a reward waiting for us. (Heb. 2:1-4, 2 Tim. 4:6-8). There is great value in knowing that there is strength in numbers. Synergy causes us to be stronger together than apart. (1 Cor. 12:12-14.) Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 4:12, “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

We also need to remember to grow in our faith. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” We need to take the necessary steps to grow in our faith. Peter tells us that if we add the things listed in 2 Pet. 1:5-11, that we will not falter nor be unfruitful in our efforts on earth.

We also need to remember that God is protecting His people from temptation. Listen to what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Isn’t that wonderful news? There is no temptation that we face but what God is there to help us through it. Now, most people may not realize just how powerful they can be as God’s children. With His help, there is nothing that we can’t overcome in the way of temptation. Now that’s power!

The next time you feel weak in the face of temptation just remember that your strength comes from God and He is equipping you with enough strength to say “no” to any temptation you face.

Paul said in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That didn’t mean that he could do everything, but rather that he could accomplish all that God desired due to the strength from above.

Friends, rather than disparage our weaknesses, let’s play to our strengths. Remember that you are a part of the body of Christ. Not everyone will be an ear, eye, hand or foot. There are different talents, abilities and needs. Play to your strengths. Find your part in the body and do your part with all of your strength.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we learn to trust God more each day and learn to gain strength, wisdom and power from His word as we read it frequently. May we never become fearful of anyone because the Lord is the strength of our life!

Our thought for the day: “Do not pray for an easy task. Pray to be stronger!”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.