How to be Strong in the Lord...

Chapter Five:

As the times grow more evil, we will find it more challenging to remain steadfast in what we believe. In the early beginnings of the Church, Paul often found himself encouraging his new disciples to stand their ground and to find their strength in the Lord.  He knew how important it was for them to look outside of themselves for their source of strength as they would face great difficulties, not only from other people, but they would also have to learn how to fight a new kind of war, a spiritual war. 

He specifically warned them in Ephesians 6:10, "Finally, Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power", before he even began to tell them about putting on their spiritual armor and what that entailed.  He knew how important it would be for them to acknowledge their own lack of strength, and the necessity of looking only to the Lord's strength, which is what they would need most of all.

We will only hold up as long as we are drawing our strength from the Lord, through prayer. The moment we look away from Christ and look to our own human strength, falling back on our flesh, it enables the enemy to come in and we are no match for him by ourselves. As Psalm 144:1 says, "Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight." Christ alone is our source and sustainer, and our strength must come from Him.  Without His strength we will not be able to stand when we are tested. It will be beyond what we can handle.  Knowing our strength comes from the Lord, we must remain humble.

In the second part of Ephesians 6:10 it says, "....and in His mighty power". Paul was telling the Ephesians that they must truly believe that God is almighty in power.  He also wanted them to understand that this almighty power would be used to defend them.  What we must recognize is the significance of God's almighty, infinite power. He has all power, more power than you and I as mere mortals can even begin to comprehend.  Considering the power He must possess, to have created this world and mankind, is beyond our limited imagination.  God wants us to face every trial and every temptation leaning solely upon Him, the One who possesses unlimited power.  

I don't think we truly recognize just how much God desires that we trust Him and understand that His power will be used to defend His precious children. He showed us by sending Christ to die for our sins just how precious we are to Him. It was a high price to pay but He did it out of love for us and because He knew He had the power to resurrect Christ. Think of it, the power to resurrect Christ! For God it is just an example of the power He wields. And knowing this, we can be assured that He will not have us go forth to war without His help.   God has made a covenant with His people, and He promised that this covenant would never be broken, never removed. He makes His covenant with every believer so we all can be assured of His coming to our aid when we need it. We can rest in the power of His might!

Gurnall said, "Where can anyone flee in any need, or when in danger of sin, Satan or his instruments, except to God?  'What time I am afraid,' David said, 'I will trust in thee' (Psalm 56:3).  When you take sanctuary in God, you can rest assured He will not betray you to the enemy. Your willing dependence upon Him awakens His almighty power for your defense as surely as a newborn baby's cry awakens its mother, regardless of the hour. He has sworn the greatest oath that can come from His sacred lips: that all who flee to their hope in Him for refuge, shall have strong consolation (Hebrews 6: 17,18). This should embolden your faith to expect a kind haven when you turn to God for protection. Having set up His name and promises a strong tower, God calls His people into His chambers, and expects them to enter and make themselves at home."

When you find yourself doubting whether you can trust in God's power to protect or sustain you,  remind yourself of what He has done for you in the past.  We may go through a time of doubting if He really cares, or if He will help us, but that doesn't negate God's power.  We may harbor secret doubts as to God's power but that doesn't change who He is, it's simply a reflection of how we think and shows how much further we need to grow in our trust of Him.  God cannot change who He is as it is impossible for Him to change any aspect of who He is. We are reassured in Hebrews 13:8, " Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." 

Christ is all too well acquainted with what we struggle with here on earth. Having lived here was purposeful in that now as our intercessor before the Father He constantly intercedes for us (Romans 8:34) . We have nothing to fear. This intercession, this earnestly praying for us, is done on our behalf by Christ, who is so full of mercy towards us that we can be assured we will receive whatever we need in order to do what God requires of us. Our safety and protection are of utmost importance to God.

Without His strength and power, we won't be able to stand whenever we are being tested or going through a trial. You may feel that all your strength is being used up, fighting the current battle in which you find yourself, but that doesn't mean God has run out of power, it means that you need to cry out to God for help. Once you get a grasp of just how powerful God truly is, it will help you to be at peace, regardless of your circumstances. There is no assault strong enough to overpower us when our Mighty God in on our side!