Articles
How Strong Are You?
The world likes to determine strength for everyone. It gives a standard to go by or at least a value. Someone strong physically has to look a certain way or lift so much weight. Anyone strong mentally or emotionally has to hold it together under any circumstances. Yet, when it comes to personal faith, the world doesn’t place a high value on it. Sadly, believers can focus on being strong in other areas above a strong faith. Our faith must be the strongest aspect of our lives.
Samson had his muscles. He was able to accomplish great feats of physical strength. For instance, wrestling and tearing a lion apart, or how about defeating a battalion of Philistines single-handed. Incredible, right?! From a merely human perspective, indeed! Of course, God caused Samson’s ability to achieve these outcomes. The Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson mightily (Judg. 14:6; 15:14). Even with all the physical strength, it didn’t provide him with a strong relationship with God. Samson struggled with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn. 2:16). Only at the end of his life did it appear that he finally realized the LORD was the real reason for his strength (Judg. 16:28). So, how strong was Samson? Alone, he was weak. Only with God was he ever strong.
David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14). He came from being a humble shepherd to rise to be the king of Israel. Before ascending to the throne, David faced major trials that could question anyone's sanity. An example being; when he had to be on the run for his life for long stretches. Only finding refuge in caves. Long were his nights, wondering how God might deliver him from the hands of his enemies. One might think that the natural response would be to throw in the towel. Even through the lowest points of his life, David turned to the LORD for strength. He knew that his strength lay with His Shepherd (Psa. 23).
Jeremiah is commonly referred to as the ‘weeping prophet.’ He had to deliver news of impending doom while no one would hear his pleas. Rejection is painful. He was lonely and depressed. None more is this clear when he cursed the day he was born (cf. Jer. 20:14, 18). Some may shout, “Stand up and take it! or Suck it up!” Easy for us to say. Although, much of his life was filled with delivering messages of doom and gloom. He could find solace in knowing that he was blessed with providing a promise of the forthcoming new covenant (cf. Jer. 31:34ff).
Finally, Jesus. What can be said? Those with a superficial understanding of His life probably consider Him a weak individual. Preaching of turning the other cheek and loving your enemies. Forgiving others. The prophet Isaiah described Him as “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3). From a worldly mindset, this doesn’t sound like a strong man. However, later on in that same section of Scripture, Isaiah says of Christ, “Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors” (v. 12). Only He was strong enough to take on and endure such agony.
Ultimately, what can we learn from these individuals and the Scriptures? Strength comes from knowing the LORD! We may not have the largest muscles. We may struggle with depression or stress. Nevertheless, believers have to be determined not to let the world or Satan weigh us down to where we choose to leave God behind. We are blessed with words such as the Apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Likewise, are the words of the Psalmist, “The LORD is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Psa. 118:6)
Seek the LORD with all your heart, and you will find your strength!
