Wednesday, November 10, 2010
SOBERING THOUGHTS AT THE END OF THE CHURCH YEAR (3):
OUR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH
Since our enemy is a spiritual being, we need spiritual strength. All the multi-vitamins in the world won't help us against Satan. Since we cannot stand against our enemy, we must be made spiritually strong by another, by one greater than our enemy. Therefore we are urged: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10).
If we are to stand against our spiritual enemy, it is necessary obtain strength from God. Our enemy wants us to believe that we have the "inner strength and power" to overcome him. Satan wants us to underestimate his power and cunning. We must first despair of our own strength, for only then will we be led by the Spirit to look to Christ for strength. The Apostle Paul said it like this (2 Corinthians 12:9-10): "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."
We are not here urged to be strong; but to get out of the way and let God make us strong. For once we are united to Christ by faith; we are united with an inexhaustible source of spiritual strength. We need to daily look to Him and His Word to stand firm.
Let this be our daily prayer:
"Lord God, Heavenly Father, give me spiritual strength to stand through your Word. Renew my faith in You and Your love for me, which you revealed when you sent Jesus to the Cross to atone for my sin and to remove my guilt."
