How would you react if God told you that were set apart to declare His truth to an obstinate and headstrong nation? Would you fear the people you were going to reprove? Would you question whether God had the correct person for the job? “But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.” Jeremiah 1:17-18 Continue Reading…
Tag Archive - Strength
Eloquence and strength manifested: Jeremiah 1 and 2
Will the collective resources of the world afford you salvation: Psalm 147
When we become utterly tired and weary from the concerns of life what do we hope in? In the morning and strength of our youth we can overcome every insurmountable obstacle that lays in our path but as time, worry, and fear erode our strength and resolve we face a moment of crisis. Will the collective resources of the world afford us the salvation we desire? Is our strength enough? Is there truly hope? It is easy to believe that money, possessions, and friendship can enable us to overcome any problem but we are sadly deceived. God is the wellspring of fulfillment that we crave but there is absolutely no way that we can achieve His grace and favor through any merit of ourselves. Continue Reading…
Boldness birthed out of God’s sufficient supremacy: Psalm 140
How can David say, “As for the head of those who surround me, may the mischief of their lip cover them. May burning coals fall upon them; may they be cast into the fire, into the deep pits from which they cannot rise. May a slanderer not be established in the earth; may evil hunt the violent man speedily.” Psalm 140:9-11 Can we truly wish the demise of someone? What is the basis of these thoughts of David? These wicked men were against God and seeking the demise of David. How does the character and opposition of these men against God allow David to seek their downfall? The character and identity of David was grounded in his relationship with God. This relationship with God afforded David the confidence to proclaim that the wicked will never proper because God was in control. “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my God; give ear, O Lord, to the voice of my supplications. O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle. Do no grant, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; do not promote his evil device , that they not be exalted.’” Psalm 140:6-8 Continue Reading…
Is God enough for you to find complete rest: Psalm 131
Is God enough? Do we find rest in God? We often look upon our lives and think that we need just one more ‘thing’ to make ourselves complete. Why do we long for more? We let ourselves get in our way: we let the pride within us dictate our needs and wants, we let our eyes lust upon the items our pride desires, and we tout how our great intellect helps us. How can we believe that God is enough when we assume requirements from God upon our lives and we think that if we work hard enough we will meet the requirements. Is our busyness an attempt to win God’s favor? Why do we feel compelled to work for our salvation which was completely finished and granted at the cross of Calvary. Continue Reading…
Sufficiency of God’s refuge brings hope: Psalm 91
When we claim that God is our refuge what are we actually believing? To say that God is our refuge requires that our faith, hope, and trust in unison acknowledge that we cannot and only God can. Everything great or small that we encounter in life is only possible because of our almighty God. As we face each day we may face painful troubles, wondrous joy or unyielding monotony but no matter the circumstance that we face God is our deliverer. When we face fear God will grant us courage. In the face of uncertainty God will provide peace. And when death seeks to take us God lavishly gives us salvation. There is nothing in life that we can fear when we find that God is our ultimate refuge and strength. “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 Continue Reading…
Set your standard of war for the battle of life: Psalm 41
How do you interact with the people around you that are suffering? When people become beaten down by hurtful people, oppressing circumstances or failing health are you a blessing or a curse to them? We cannot, in our own strength, remain a constant help to the hurting people of this world. Only God can enable us to be a healing balm to the worn people of this world.
What do you do when you are the one who is downcast and hurting? We need to run to God, the only faithful one, for our help. God can grant deliverance from trouble, protection from danger and healing to the sick. Do we remember to ask God for the grace and faith we need to make it through this life? Are we too afraid or proud to run to God for help? We spend so much of our energy fighting through life that we use up our strength and fall farther back into trouble. If we fight against the sin of this world without God we will be trapped deeper in the clutches of sin. Give up and let God help you. The power of God is able to uphold you in the midst of the storms of life and He will remain faithful to you when everyone else turns away. Continue Reading…
Lovingkindness poured out freely at Calvary: Psalm 32
How was sin forgiven before Jesus Christ died on the cross as a final and absolute sacrifice for us? The forgiveness of sin came through the continual sacrifices offered to God as atonement for the transgressions made by man. The effect of sin upon all mankind is the same; when we sin we are openly proclaiming that we do not need God in our lives and that the power is within us to make our own destiny. In Psalm 32 we see how God works in the heart of men. “When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day. I acknowledge my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’; and You forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:3-5 Continue Reading…
Strength, salvation and blessing in abundance: Psalm 21
We are richly blessed by God; in Psalm 21 we are told how God has done so much for the king of Israel. Strength, salvation, blessing, splendor and majesty were all given to the king in abundance by God. What is noteworthy about the king of Israel? His trust of is placed in God alone and the enabling power of God works through these men to accomplish God’s will. Does it seem like this Psalm doesn’t have much to say to the christian today? We are not kings and we do not seek victory in battle. If you are thinking about moving on to another Psalm please take another look at Psalm 21 and as you read through all the blessings think about all the blessings that you have in Jesus Christ. We are given strength, salvation and blessing in abundance from Jesus Christ. We are enabled to live through this sinful world bringing glory to God because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Continue Reading…
Looking back in praise and adoration on God’s faithfulness: Psalm 18
As you look back on your life what are the most memorable moments that come to your mind? If you were to write an autobiography or a letter to your children and grandchildren what important facts would you include? Would you see the faithfulness of God evident throughout your life or would you see your own prowess and strength exhibited? In Psalm 18 David reflects back upon his life after God delivered him from Saul and all of his enemies. The words of David do not center on his own capabilities but instead he focuses on God’s deliverance. Continue Reading…
Peace, hope and purpose found in a proper perspective: Job Summary
The story in the book of Job is portrayed on two distinct levels. At the macro-level we see the impetus for the calamity that befalls Job when God discusses His servant with Satan resulting in God allowing Satan to bring calamity upon Job. On the micro-level we see the loss of family, wealth and health for Job along with the futile comfort offered by his friends Zophar, Bildad and Eliphaz. How do we cope when calamities come upon us when outwardly we only see our life from the midst of trouble and tribulation? Can hope be had in the midst of calamity? How do we deal with the anger and despair that vies for our attention when we are in the midst of trouble?
Job was faced with his way of life being disturbed and radically changed when his children, livestock and health were struck by Satan. Job had no foreknowledge that these events that transformed his life were ordained and allowed by God. His main concern was questioning why these events happened to him, an upright man who sought God above all. The knowledge and faith that Job had in God was great but his perspective on his situation was fixed inwardly and not upon God. Continue Reading…
