Where does our strength come from? The answer depends upon our definition of strength. There are many types of strength; physical endurance is something that most of us try to attain and maintain throughout our lifetime. It only gets more difficult as we age, since most of us have to make a conscious effort to keep fit! In the Bible, Samson was the strongest man on earth. However, unlike us, he received his tremendous strength as a divine blessing from God…unfortunately, he was not strong morally and lost his strength when he finally revealed to his lover, Delilah, that he would lose his power if his hair was cut. Working for the Philistines, she allowed them to shave off his seven braids while he slept on her lap during the night. When he awoke the next morning, all of his strength was gone. It is a cautionary tale, although God allowed Samson to ultimately defeat the Philistines, in one last colossal show of power.
This then begs the question: where does our moral strength come from? Our morality is an internal mechanism, but we can always turn to God for direction in deciding right from wrong. The Ten Commandments provide absolute guidance in this area, and furthermore, Jesus reinforces the two most important commandments in Matthew 22:37-40: love for God and love for our neighbour.
Another definition of strength is something or someone who withstands great force or pressure. When we are thinking negative thoughts and feeling oppressed by our enemy, the devil, we can be assured that God will provide divine strength for our minds and souls, just as He did for Jesus in the desert. When Jesus was being tempted by Satan, God sent angels to strengthen Him. As well, before He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and arrested by Roman soldiers, Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives during the night. Knowing that He was soon going to the cross, Jesus prayed: “‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” (Luke 22:42-43) Obviously, God sometimes uses heavenly angels to lift us up and fill us with life-giving strength and power.
I have been pondering all week about exactly how this happens? How does God know that we need Him in our most terrible times of trouble and affliction? It is very important that we pray and seek Him through reading the Bible, but God also knows what is going on with us at all times. 2 Chronicles 16:9 tells us: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” If we are true Christians, God is always watching over us and taking care of us. There is really nothing we have to do. Having said that, we should be ready for battle at any time! In Ephesians 6:10-18, the apostle Paul instructs us on how to do this:
The Armor of God:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
When I was at one of the lowest points of my life, many years ago, God showed me His strength, power and faithfulness in a very personal way. One hot summer day, while we were still living in northern Manitoba, I agreed to go with my then husband on a short boat trip upriver, when I really did not feel safe alone with him. His drinking was very heavy during that period of time, and his behaviour could be erratic. When we stopped for a short break, at a place of total isolation on the banks of the river, I suddenly heard the call of a bird, high above us. When I looked up towards the sky, I could see a great Bald Eagle flying about from tree to tree and swooping down, searching for his prey. How majestic he appeared and how freely and easily he flew! Likewise, God tells us in the book of Isaiah 40:29-31, how He provides freedom for the captives and strength for the weak, much like that of the eagle:
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Indeed, we can take great comfort in knowing that our God always sees us, He is always with us, and He always has our back! Hallelujah!
