THURSDAY September 23, 2021
The Benefits of God’s Strength
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah
Psalm 68:19
There are many benefits in the Christian life. It is through our Lord that we have an eternal hope: “...as You [God the Father] have given Him [Jesus Christ] authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him” (John 17:2).
Christians are promised the benefit of spiritual strength: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Apart from Jesus Christ we can do nothing (John15:5); in Christ we can do all things.
Christians also have the benefit of being strengthened by God for effective service. In 1 Timothy 1:12, Paul said: And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry... It is all about Him––not you and your strength––but His!
Believers have the benefit of divine strength perfected in our weaknesses. Paul the Apostle had a physical weakness. He pleaded with the Lord that it might be taken from him. However, the Lord said to Paul:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Paul gave God glory and praise despite his infirmities. This way he stayed close to the heart of God. Did you know that when you get sick or when you are going through a heavy trial is when you become closer to the Lord? When everything is going fine in your life, it is easy to drift. When everything is good, why read, pray or go to church? Thank God for our trials as the power of God rests upon us––His enabling strength.
My prayer today is that we will feel the loving arms of God wrapped around us, and will know in our hearts that He will never forsake us as we trust in Him.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!