Strength

Our Strength 

Nehemiah 8:10  Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

I believe we are to repeatedly pray this verse when we are distressed.  For, in suffering, we realize we need God to be strong for us.  And, we need to see that joy from God is felt in the midst of challenging circumstances, and not because of perfect circumstances.  Paradoxically, when we are weak, He is strong.  We become strong as He increases our joy and comforts us in grief and pain with His love.  God’s unconditional love means God gives us joy even when we don’t feel like being joyful, He gives us strength when we are at our weakest, and He gives us eternal hope despite our present difficult circumstances.  He is our pillar of strength and deliverer of joy; He is not bound by time, circumstances, or emotions.  He gives His healing love and everlasting joy freely, always.  When you are struggling, pray: “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” 

Photo: Iceland  

Strength in Christ

Philippians 4:12 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

What if we really believed that we can be completely content in Christ? We can feel full because of His living Spirit in us? We can do anything He asks of us by His Spirit’s strength? Fueled by faith, fed by the Word, and fortified by the Spirit, we are invincible in Christ! We can be content through hardship, suffering, disappointment, discouragement, joy, victory and abundance….because Christ strengthens us! Amen!

Photo: Tower of London