Hi
Be strong in the Lord.
Wow
There I was critiquing King Saul for disobedience and vanity; and here is Today’s Holy Nougat putting me in my place with a clear reminder that it is too easy to descend to Saul’s spiritual ‘infidelity ‘.
“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 NLT
For, the truth is, strength as used here is talking about the act of being empowered to be or do; it’s not really about what is naturally within. And even then, my ‘natural’ gifts are exactly that; gifts from God. So even if they are referred to as talents or skills; ultimately they are God-given. And if I, rather WHEN I get sidetracked to the point of thinking that the gift is mine to do as I please, or that I am the source of my strength, the spiritual ground below me has already begun to be converted into quicksand! That’s what encourages spiritual infidelity.
Being strong in the Lord is not only about submission; but it is also a sincere acknowledgement that I am not alone in anything I take on. And while I am still growing into submission; I definitely am happy to know that what I do comes with the backing of Christ. For, when the world forsakes me (and it has and will); I have the backing of the Almighty, Who is My Strength.
Acknowledging the Lord as My Source also means that when my own strength has dried up; when the battle royal rages around me; when I’m caught between pharaoh and the deep Red Sea; I know Whose hand holds me and Whose right hand lifts me up!
My confidence in God’s strength is not just personal. I am reminded of Moses presiding over the battle and his natural strength began to wane. As his strength waned, the enemy seemed to be gaining momentum. Until the Lord; My God, sent human reinforcements. Then the miracles multiplied – the sun stood still; the battle shifted back to the wandering Jews; and most of all, Moses realized he was not alone. Because God already had reinforcements in place. What a mighty God!
And that’s where the second half of the Nougat comes in. For when I am genuinely God-strong and not head strong; then I am also operating in God’s might. I got backative!
How about you?
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
