9.28.7 "Your Source of Strength"

"Your Source of Strength"

Isaiah 54:1-57:14
Ephesians 6:1-24
Psalm 70:1-5
Proverbs 24:8

How do you do it? How do you make it through your day? When those trials pile up, what gets you through? Your challenges are like no one else's. They're unique to you. How do you survive?

There's quite a few different ways to answer this, but there is a specific prescription that God gives us for strength: "Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord's mighty power within you." (Eph. 6:10) That's it. There's no placebo, no substitute drug, no quick fix. Our strength must come from the Lord. Too often we chase after other things looking for strength. Isaiah 55:2-3 says, "Why spend your money on food that doesn't give you strength? Why pay for groceries that do you no good? Listen and I'll tell you where to get food that fattens up the soul! Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake."

Ephesians 6 speaks of the full armor of God. We've heard this many times. We've done the actions as kids, and we think this whole armor of God thing is kind of cute. Regardless of what we think of the analogy, there is a major life application that we must take to heart.

"Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan. for we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies - the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world. So use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks and when it is all over, you will still be standing up." (Eph. 6:10-13)

The major life application is that we must "PUT ON". There is an active intention we must give to be able to withstand what the enemy throws at us. I can't tell you how many times I'm talking with individuals who are struggling in a certain area, struggling with sin, struggling in marriage, or relationships, and I ask "are you reading the Word?" The answer is always, "Well, no, but..." I struggle with sarcasm at this point, because I wanna say, "Really... you don't read the word, and yet you're still having trouble... that's amazing!"

Don't worry, I know I'm a hypocrite in this area. There are many times I read the word, yet miss the element of "putting on" the armor. Sometimes its easy to go through the ritual and not apply the truth of the word. We must do that to stand. "But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God's approval. Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit - which is the Word of God." (Eph 6:14-16)

All of this implies disciplined action on our part to get into the word and apply what it says. I know people are offended when I recommend they get into the word. There's almost a "rolling of the eyes". Why is it that we think we reach a point of maturity that we're "past" this. That's deception! It's like saying, "once my grass gets green, I don't need any more water on it." Let's see what Isaiah has to say about that.

"As the rain and snow come down from heaven and stay upon the ground to water the earth, and cause the grain to grow and to produce seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry, so also is my Word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It shall accomplish all I want it to, and prosper everywhere I send it." Isaiah 55:10-11

Even when we don't "feel like it", the power of God's Word takes root in our lives and bears fruit. We can't bypass this, even though we too often try. Don't you want to be standing at the end of the day? Don't you want to be able to withstand all the enemy throws at you? Then get into the word!

There's a promise that comes with it: "You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills, the trees of the field - all the world around you - will rejoice. Where once were thorns, fir trees will grow; where briars grew, the myrtle trees will sprout up. This miracle will make the Lord's name very great and be an everlasting sign [of God's power and love]." Isaiah 55:12-13

One of the greatest promises in all of this is from Isaiah 54:17, "But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you shall succeed..." That's a great promise!

Make every effort to be "Empowered through Biblical Training" today. You need it. You may not be able to spend hours and hours, but spend something. The key is consistency. Read regularly. Apply what you read. Put on the whole armor!

THAT'S your source of Strength!


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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