Be Strong In The Lord

In our culture it is interesting to note who is held up as a strong person. It could be the elite athlete, the bold politician, the person following their dream despite all obstacles. Culture tends to promote a radically individualistic, independent form of strength. In contrast, the Bible promotes a dependent strength. King David writes that “the Lord is my strength and my shield. . .” (Psalm 28:7a). The prophet Isaiah writes “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength . . .” (Isaiah 40:31a). And the apostle Paul says, “be strong in the Lord. . .” (Ephesians 6:10a) and in another place he writes “my power is made perfect in weakness. . .” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
What we see consistently in Scripture is that a divine partnership leads to strength. We see David clinging to the promise that he will be king someday (that he received from Samuel the prophet) as he goes out to fight the terrifying giant Goliath. David went with some skill with a sling, but his confidence came from the promises of God and the fact that he was fighting to honor God in the face of the giant’s blasphemy against Yahweh.
In the book of Daniel, we see that the source of Daniel’s convictional strength was his daily prayer practice. Out of that strong connection with God Daniel was able to stand against a king who said no one could pray to anyone but himself. Daniel would not be bullied into forsaking God and had the strength to face even a lion’s den over his convictions.
In the New Testament we see the ultimate dependent strength in Jesus Christ. Both fully divine and fully man Jesus found strength in his relationship with the Father. We see this most clearly in the garden of Gethsemane. He is agonizing over what is coming, the cross and the wrath of God for the sins of the world. Yet he prays what the theologians calls the “perfect prayer” as he says, “yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). He leans fully on the Father in his darkest moments leading up to the cross.
Also, in the New Testament we see the incredible partnership of God and man in the giving of the Holy Spirit. In Acts chapter two the Holy Spirit is given to the church. When a person becomes a Christian, they receive the permanent presence of the Holy Spirit. He dwells within the believer and empowers the believer to grow in their character. Through the partnership with the Holy Spirit over the years, we look more like Jesus in how we think and act. This partnership is what, I think, it means to be strong in the Lord.
If you would like to explore the subject of strength a bit more, I invite you to come to Journey Christian Church TODAY, Sunday May 17 at 9:30 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. My oldest son Joe is speaking. He is a strong person no matter how you define it. He is a powerlifting world champion who has set two world records, but more importantly he loves the Lord and is constantly investing in his family and the youth ministry at his church. I encourage you, no matter what you face to be strong in the Lord.

Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church