MONDAY July 29, 2024
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. Believers are promised the benefit of spiritual strength: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Then again, Jesus reiterated, apart from Him we can do nothing, but as we abide in Christ we can do all things (John 15:4-5).
Believers have the benefit of being strengthened by God for effective Christian service. In 1 Timothy 1:12, the Apostle 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 Jesus; He enables us. We have no strength apart from Him. It is Jesus’ strength working in us.
Believers have the benefit of divine strength perfected in our weaknesses. Paul had an unknown physical weakness. He pleaded with the Lord that it might be taken from him. However, the Lord said to him:
“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. He stayed close to the heart of God in his weakness. Did you know that when you get sick or when you are going through a heavy trial that is when you become closer to the Lord? When everything is going fine in your life, it is easy to drift away, and easy to rely on your own strength. Thank God for our trials because we learn to rely on 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!
