Dear CBC family,
This week, I was reminded of the supernatural spiritual strength that God provides to His people. This is most pronounced when their physical strength is diminished or gone. This was Paul’s experience often in his ministry. He writes concerning his “thorn in the flesh” “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:10). And, when he is near the end of his life, imprisoned and deserted he says, “At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me… But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me…” (2 Tim. 4:16-17)
In fact, there are many examples in Scripture of believers who knew firsthand of God’s supernatural strengthening power – a strength of a different kind and superior to their physical strength. For example, God strengthened Caleb in a special way for the latter 40 years of his life to fulfill His promise to him. He boasts in Joshua 14:11 “I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in.” During a climactic and distressing time in David’s rise to power we read, “Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” (1 Sam. 30:6). The Lord gives Ezra a supernatural strength to lead Israel’s revival and restoration from captivity (Ezra 7:28). Even the Lord Jesus himself, as fully man is supernaturally strengthened in His hour of distress in the Garden. Luke 22:43 “Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.”
What do we do when we are weak, feel distressed, experience desertion, or are pressed beyond measure? Where do we turn when we are empty of physical strength? Let me encourage you to spend time in prayer and worship – seeking the strength that God supplies. God can provide us power through His spiritual strength that surpasses our natural abilities. (Phil. 4:13, 2 Thess. 3:3, 1 Pet. 4:11, 1 Pet. 5:10).
This is a rich theme and promise of His Word. More on this to come!
Thanks…and see you Sunday.
Pastor Dave
