Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Receive Strength


Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

There are different types of strengths – physical strength, spiritual strength, mental strength, economic strength and many others that you can come up with.  


The Bible recorded instances of people receiving physical strength after taking food. Some cases include the case of Elijah who received strength after eating (`1st Kings Chapter 19 verses 1 to 21, the Apostle Paul in Acts Chapter 9 verse 9, the Egyptian servant of the one of the Amalekites who raided and burnt down Ziklag in 1st Samuel Chapter 30 verses 11 to 16. If the young man had not received strength from the food he ate, he would not have been physically strengthened to lead David and his men to the Amalekites. Significantly, the Bible cautions against feasting for the sake of feasting as feasting is designed to strengthen one physically. Please read Ecclesiastes Chapter 10 verses 17.

The Apostle Peter was instructed by Jesus Christ to strengthen his brethren after his temptation. Please read Luke Chapter 22 verses 31 to 34.

The Apostle Paul also spoke of being strengthened with all might. Please read Colossians Chapter 1 verses 10 to 11.

Significantly, divine strength comes from God to His own people. He strengthened the prophet Jeremiah. Please read Jeremiah Chapter 16 verse 19. The prophet Jeremiah also referred to God as His strength and fortress as well as his refuge in the day of affliction. A study of the life and ministry of Prophet Jeremiah throws up several challenges and afflictions experienced by the Prophet who is sometimes referred to as the weeping prophet. In some of these emotionally challenging, physically traumatizing and battering situations which almost had a negative impact on the spiritual life (albeit giving up on speaking on the word of God) of Jeremiah, Jeremiah learnt over time to draw strength from God and could therefore confidently refer to God as his strength and fortress and refuge.



King David consistently referred to God as the God of his strength and his strength.  Please read 2nd Samuel Chapter 18 verses 3, 33 and 40. That explains why David always sought refuge in God and drew strength from God to deal with whatever challenges came his way. Please read 1st Samuel Chapter 30 verses 6 to 10. David testified severally and acknowledged that God strengthened him. Please read Psalm 89 verses 17 to 21. , which explains why God is referred to as the Strength of Israel. Please read Psalms 81 verse 1, 84 verses 4 to 7 and 1st Samuel Chapter 15 verse 29.

Severally, the Apostle Paul faced persecutions which resulted in physical assaults and near death. But he testified confidently that God always stood with him and strengthened him against his foes. Please read 2nd Timothy Chapter 4 verses 14 to 18.

The Biblical Daniel saw a vision which drained him of whatever strength he had – because the vision made him sorrowful and the sorrow overwhelmed him to the point where he had no strength. Please read Daniel Chapters 10, note verses 7 to 8, 16 to 19. Daniel was so weak that he could not even respond to the angel who was sent to him by God. But the angel touched Daniel and strengthened him. Additionally, the angel spoke great words of peace and encouragement and also asked Daniel to be strong. The Bible records that Daniel was strengthened and acknowledged that the angel had strengthened him. He also asked the angel to speak as he was now strong enough to communicate.

Beloved, strength in whatever form comes from God and He is always willing to strengthen His own with whatever strength that they require. Are you in need of strength? Ask Him and He will strengthen you to the glory of His holy name in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.


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