Strength

Strengh

6:18

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,”

Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭1‬, NIV‬‬.

The word strength has multiple meanings:

1. To be physically strong.

2. The ability to resist being moved or broken by a force.

3. The quality that allows someone to deal with problems in a determined and effective way.

In Psalm 46, the Israelites find themselves in another battle, yet on the losing side. God reminded them that He is their strength. They needed to trust God, who also would shelter and protect them as He fought for them.

It’s like God provided a huge cave for Israel to shelter in and then gave them strength to come out and see what He had done.

This scene seems to lack the energy of a Hollywood movie, “Hurrah! We are the victors!” As the Israelites were “hiding out in God’s shelter.”

That’s because it wasn’t a movie. This was real life with a real enemy who outnumbered them. The enemy was ready and willing to do devastating things to the Israelites. Things that would make any one of us want to seek shelter.

In reality, it did take strength to peek one’s head out of the mouth of the metaphorical cave. It was their moment of faith. Did they believe God had really defeat their enemy? They needed to believe that God could win the battle for them. To trust He was their ever-present help in trouble. Which He was.

Part of the strength God offered was the ability to determine His faithfulness. However, they also needed to be effective. They needed to put determination into practice. Being effective takes action. For the Israelites, they needed to see the conclusion of the battle. Which means they needed to open their eyes. Psalm 46:8 tells us:

“Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth,” Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭8‬, NIV‬‬.

God had been victorious.

I remember one time I had an opportunity to see God’s faithfulness. We had a tarantula in our house. Yes, I know this is not the same as an army on one’s doorstep, but it felt that way. One giant spider that I had convinced myself, could eat my face, if it desired.

I was determined to remove it from our house, but I wasn’t effective. I just couldn’t get the container over this beast, in order to set it free, far from my home. There seemed to be a force preventing me from getting any closer than two feet. It was called fear.

So, I called for help.

I, too, needed God to give me strength when I try to resist a negative force. Instead, to my shame, I called a friend, not God. God could have and would have given me all the help I needed, but I didn’t trust Him to do so.

How are you doing? Are you calling on God to give you strength?

Is someone trying to convince you to do something that’s not right?

Are you tempted to believe the lie of the enemy telling you untruths about God?

Is fear stopping you from doing something you can actually accomplish?

Remember, we all need help from our Father.

He has promised to be our ever-present help in trouble. He’s that good.

Father,

There are so many times I believe I can handle a situation that wasn’t designed for me to do. You desire for me to ask for help and not rely on myself.

I’m sorry for believing I don’t need You all the time.

I’m sorry for believing my strength is sufficient.

I’m sorry I rely on myself for things that only You can handle.

Actually, Father, if I’m being honest—I need You to give me strength for the large things as well as the seemingly insignificant. If I don’t, my ego takes over and that’s never good. I need Your strength to pursue humility.

You have created me. You know more about me than I know myself. You know what I can handle, and what I cannot.

You, oh LORD, are sufficient. You are my ever-present help in times of trouble and in times of ego—which is its own trouble.

Thank You.

Search me oh God and show me what I need to surrender, repent of and that which I need to be grateful for. You alone give me the strength I need.

Thank You.

Amen.