Humanity is impressed with strength. That’s understandable. People who demonstrate a capacity to hold up under heavy loads or endure extreme pressure are generally the exception and not the rule.
We view strength in a multitude of ways. It is the theme of movies, the expectation of leadership, the hope of relationships, the focus of negotiations and the desired presence in tribulation.
Both physically and emotionally, we need strength to resist some kind of force and have the fortitude to stand beneath its weight. But that doesn’t just happen. It requires knowledge, wisdom and discipline. Those traits are not inherently part of our nature, but they are attainable to us through the true Source of strength – the Spirit of God. Few recognize that truth, fewer still turn to Him. Absent of the Source, we are vulnerable to our own weaknesses and lose discernment between wisdom and foolishness, truth and error, good and evil.
The world has a limited view of strength. For the most part its measured by muscle, militia, and thrones of power. They all point to might. Yet to every generation, the mighty eventually fade into history and the cycle repeats. We do not establish permanence of might on this earth. We are passing through and the manner in which we live affects the events of our days and the permanence of our eternity.
Wisdom calls us to recognize both our limitations and endowments. But our generational struggle comes from our bent to place trust in the strength of man alone. The Word of God makes clear that is a worldly mindset. Zechariah 4:6 reveals that victorious living comes “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Having the right vision is imperative to our quality of life.
It doesn’t take a lot of effort to recognize that truth is not central to decisions made throughout the world. Much suffering results. Many believe it is unnoticed by the Almighty and even deny He exists, but that is self-deception. His Spirit is as active today as it has been from the beginning and the timing of His pace is His own.
God makes clear His might is beyond man’s comprehension. At the appointed time, He executes what He has proclaimed. Such is the revelation of Isaiah 52:10 “The Lord has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.”
The arm He bares is the ultimate muscle of authority and the Name behind it is Jesus. In Christ alone we receive salvation and, by the indwelling of His Spirit, our weakness is transformed into power so that we may carry the message of the cross to a world impressed with its own might. Those hungry for control, autonomy and chasing personal gain will mock, ridicule and malign His authority; finding temporal gains in their pursuits. But only temporal. Once such people thought themselves mighty when they rolled a stone across His tomb. They were convinced they had prevailed. Three days later the Risen Christ walked out of that tomb and true might was made known.
As long as God allows us to have breath, it is possible for us to engage in strength-training. It isn’t an easy discipline, but it is led by a Loving Instructor. His Spirit is willing and His strength never fails.
