“If you faint
in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.” (Proverbs 24:10 NKJ)
in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.” (Proverbs 24:10 NKJ)
No one wants to hear
this challenge: you’re too weak. Not strong enough. Who accuses me of not being
strong? Get over here and I’ll show you strong! We have our clichés to make us
feel strong and powerful: “when the going gets tough the tough get going”
and so forth. But chanting a cliché doesn’t make us strong, no matter how
positive it may be.
this challenge: you’re too weak. Not strong enough. Who accuses me of not being
strong? Get over here and I’ll show you strong! We have our clichés to make us
feel strong and powerful: “when the going gets tough the tough get going”
and so forth. But chanting a cliché doesn’t make us strong, no matter how
positive it may be.
For sometime now,
years really, I have concluded that I cannot do – not able to do – things I use
to do without thought. I can still do some things, but it takes me longer than
in the past. I can still drive a nail and fix a pasture fence but it takes me
longer now. I can still preach a sermon, but I get tired more easily and sooner
and am exhausted longer afterwards.
years really, I have concluded that I cannot do – not able to do – things I use
to do without thought. I can still do some things, but it takes me longer than
in the past. I can still drive a nail and fix a pasture fence but it takes me
longer now. I can still preach a sermon, but I get tired more easily and sooner
and am exhausted longer afterwards.
There are any number
of issues involved in maintaining a strong and able-bodied physique. Yet, it is
the spirit and soul that is most important for strength. Paul the Apostle
wrote, “reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward
godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable
for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to
come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance” (1Timothy
4:7-9 NKJ).
of issues involved in maintaining a strong and able-bodied physique. Yet, it is
the spirit and soul that is most important for strength. Paul the Apostle
wrote, “reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward
godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable
for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to
come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance” (1Timothy
4:7-9 NKJ).
Still, Solomon’s
point is not physical strength but spiritual. When adversity comes, as it
surely will, do we have the spiritual strength to overcome it? In the present
circumstances of adversity, which we all hate and want to be rid of, what is
our attitude? What is our perspective? What is our prayer? To whom do we go?
Where could I go but to the Lord? In my adversity, I need a friend. In my
adversity, I need help. And the Lord Jesus Christ is the only friend who can
guide my boat safely to the other side of Adversity Lake.
point is not physical strength but spiritual. When adversity comes, as it
surely will, do we have the spiritual strength to overcome it? In the present
circumstances of adversity, which we all hate and want to be rid of, what is
our attitude? What is our perspective? What is our prayer? To whom do we go?
Where could I go but to the Lord? In my adversity, I need a friend. In my
adversity, I need help. And the Lord Jesus Christ is the only friend who can
guide my boat safely to the other side of Adversity Lake.
In the midst of
governmental shutdowns, economic crisis, and personal adversity of every kind,
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore
we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be
carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling” (Psalm 46:1-3 NKJ). Our
strength is neither in our ability nor in our chanted clichés. God is our
strength! He promised to never leave us nor forsake us. In him alone is our
trust!
governmental shutdowns, economic crisis, and personal adversity of every kind,
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore
we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be
carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling” (Psalm 46:1-3 NKJ). Our
strength is neither in our ability nor in our chanted clichés. God is our
strength! He promised to never leave us nor forsake us. In him alone is our
trust!
Dear Father, thank
you for being our strength and refuge. Empower us with the spiritual fortitude
to never faint in the face of adversity. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for being our strength and refuge. Empower us with the spiritual fortitude
to never faint in the face of adversity. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
encouraged today in the power of our Lord’s strength,
encouraged today in the power of our Lord’s strength,