Strength

"If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small." (Proverbs 24:10 NKJ)

No one wants to hear this challenge: you're too weak. Not strong enough. Who accuses me of not being strong? Get over here and I'll show you strong! We have our clichés to make us feel strong and powerful: "when the going gets tough the tough get going" and so forth. But chanting a cliché doesn't make us strong, no matter how positive it may be.

For sometime now, years really, I have concluded that I cannot do - not able to do - things I use to do without thought. I can still do some things, but it takes me longer than in the past. I can still drive a nail and fix a pasture fence but it takes me longer now. I can still preach a sermon, but I get tired more easily and sooner and am exhausted longer afterwards.

There are any number of issues involved in maintaining a strong and able-bodied physique. Yet, it is the spirit and soul that is most important for strength. Paul the Apostle wrote, "reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance" (1Timothy 4:7-9 NKJ).

Still, Solomon's point is not physical strength but spiritual. When adversity comes, as it surely will, do we have the spiritual strength to overcome it? In the present circumstances of adversity, which we all hate and want to be rid of, what is our attitude? What is our perspective? What is our prayer? To whom do we go? Where could I go but to the Lord? In my adversity, I need a friend. In my adversity, I need help. And the Lord Jesus Christ is the only friend who can guide my boat safely to the other side of Adversity Lake.

In the midst of governmental shutdowns, economic crisis, and personal adversity of every kind, "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling" (Psalm 46:1-3 NKJ). Our strength is neither in our ability nor in our chanted clichés. God is our strength! He promised to never leave us nor forsake us. In him alone is our trust!

Dear Father, thank you for being our strength and refuge. Empower us with the spiritual fortitude to never faint in the face of adversity. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Be strong and encouraged today in the power of our Lord's strength,