“I walk in the strength of the Lord God. I tell everyone that you alone are just and good” (Psalm 71:16 – Living Bible).
Strength, power for living, is needed by everyone in these challenging times. And God is willing to give us His strength in an abundant supply. To walk in His strength, we must simply trust Him and forsake anything that would block God's presence in our lives.
Some find their weaknesses and seasons of hardship embarrassing – thinking they must not really be good Christians to bring such a situation down on their own heads. But during those times, no matter how we got there, the important thing is to not cover up the pain, but instead turn to Him, No matter how hopeless the situation may seem, God wants to be your strength. Keep seeking Him, worshiping Him, and serving Him. Psalm 84:5 says, “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.”
He will give us comfort and help us lift our heads high, so we can face tomorrow assured of His love and strength. He is our invincible army – unshakable, indestructible, consistent, strong and true. Along with Habakuk, we should all be saying, “The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places (Habakuk 3:19).
There’s an old English adage that says, “A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.” If you are going through a difficult season of hardship, take advantage of that season to build up your strength in the Lord.
Looks Like ...
Rick Warren tells the story of when the Communists invaded Enshon, Korea, during the Korean War. The first thing they did was to capture a prominent pastor and his family, and take them to a large hole that they had dug just outside of town. They put the husband, the wife and their 3 children in the ground, and then they brought the church and the whole city out to witness what was about to happen.
After everyone was there, the Communist leader said to the pastor, "The only words you are to say are in renunciation of your faith. Unless you renounce your belief, we will bury your family alive - right before your very eyes." Can you imagine having to make such a choice? His children started crying and the pastor sunk to his knees in anguish. Finally he looked into his wife’s eyes, and was just about to renounce his faith when his wife put her hand over his mouth and said, "Please, don’t deprive us of the privilege of dying for Jesus. He died for us."
Would you be willing to do the same thing, sacrifice your entire family for the sake of the gospel? Such an act of heroism could only have been carried out in the strength of the Lord.
Ask Yourself ...
Do you lean on God’s strength or your own when faced with a problem? Is there any habitual sin that could possibly be blocking your ability to walk with faith in His strength?