As we get older, one of the things that we seem to lose is our strength. Some of this is probably because we do not do some of the same laborious work that keeps muscles strong. And so, we can’t do all of the things that we used to be able to do. Although that is the way it works with our physical bodies, the opposite should be true spiritually as Christ followers. As we grow to maturity in Christ, we should become stronger and stronger in the Lord. Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
There are at least four ways in which we can be strong in the Lord.
Be strong in the Word. Joshua 1.7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” When we study the Bible, learning it’s instructions for us and then applying them to our lives by obeying them, we gain strength to stand for Christ in every aspect of life.
Be strong in prayer. Ephesians 6:10-11,18 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Some of our strength comes from putting on the full Armor of God. But notice he wraps up his discussion on the Armor of God with the command that to be truly strong against the schemes of the devil, we must pray on all occasions.
Be strong in trusting in the Lord. Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped.” Our strength does not come from trusting in our own strength. If we do that, we lose. We must trust in the Lord and in him alone in all circumstances.
Be strong in doing the Lord’s work. Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” James reminds us in his letter that we are not just to read the Word of God, but we are to be doers of the Word of God. The Lord calls us to do many things. And he will give us the strength to do them. Our answer when the Lord calls should be the same as Samuel’s, “Here am I.” Our answer should be the same as Isaiah’s, “Here am I, send me.”
Let us “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”
In Christ Alone
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