The soul needs strength. The inner self is a battery that must be constantly recharged. The spirit within you is a lamp that requires electricity. The soul is an engine that only operates when it is fully fueled. The Bible calls this “strength,” and it is needed in ample supply to perform several crucial tasks:
(1) You need strength to stand your ground against the devil. Paul commanded, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11). As a Christian, you are engaged daily in hand-to-hand combat with Satan and the powers of darkness. And defeat is sure for any believer who tries to deflect Satan’s fiery arrows with the shield of their own strength (cf. Jer. 17:5-9). Therefore, strengthen yourself in the might of the Almighty.
(2) You need strength to fulfill your mission. Joshua of old faced an impossible task: conquering the land of Canaan with an undersized army of Israelites. Because of this, the Lord repeatedly urged him to be strong: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Of course, plundering the land of Canaan is not the Christian’s task today; instead, the mission we have been given is plundering the house of Satan with the gospel sword to liberate captives (Matt. 12:28-29; cf. 28:16-20). And this great task of making disciples requires the strength of the only God who can save sinners.
(3) You need strength to bear the weight of adversity. The gargantuan weights of trials and tribulations will crush you if you are not resting on the right arm of God’s strength. The burdens they impose are too heavy for your shoulders to bear—so cast them on the Lord’s shoulders (Psalm 55:22). Seek strength in your suffering from the One who suffered the unbearable on your behalf. Paul realized that the Lord’s strength is sufficient, and that is why he confessed, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
How does the Lord strengthen you for these things? First, the Lord strengthens you through prayer, filling your heart with strength as you fill heaven with your fervent petitions (cf. Psalm 105:4; Eph. 3:16-17). Second, He strengthens you by His word, providing the nourishment your soul needs to be strong (cf. Psalm 119:103; 1 Peter 2:1; Heb. 5:12). Third, He strengthens you through ongoing fellowship with and encouragement from His people, just as Jonathan fortified David’s grip on the Lord (1 Sam. 23:16). “Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chron. 16:11).
Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.
Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).
For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:
Brandon's Desk 