Finding Strength

Do you enjoy working out? Any physician will tell you exercise is essential. If you pursue any sport, disciplined workouts are a must. Every champion will tell you to have a winning attitude and the willpower to keep finding strength and getting to the weight room started well before the beginning of the season. But you may be a lot like me. I don't engage in regular exercise and certainly don't do strength training. I know I need to build muscles and lose fat. I think I am great at procrastinating. I could be a multi-season champion if hitting the snooze bar was a sport.

Finding strength in walking

God made us in His image. He is the Mighty One; His name is El Gibbor. This name means He is our mighty hero, omnipotent and eternal. He is stronger than anything. When I procrastinate and don't exercise, I am not taking care of myself. In 1 Corinthians 3:16, Paul asks, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" We are His temple; therefore, we need to take care of ourselves, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

This week, we will look at God's promise to strengthen us in verse 11c. Along with the characteristics of restoration and guidance highlighted by Isaiah, he now adds strength. During times of feeling depleted, Isaiah 58:11c serves as a pillar of strength and endurance.

And the Lord will guide you continually

and satisfy your desire in scorched places

and make your bones strong;

and you shall be like a watered garden,

like a spring of water,

whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11 (emphasis mine)

This verse reminds us that El Gibbor will:

1.         Heal us emotionally. God will grant us peace. He is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is peace. This kind of peace only comes from within your heart. It's not dependent on the things going on around you. This deep, restful peace grows when we spend more time in the presence of God. When we are attacked or faced with emotionally charged situations, God promises His peace if we ask.

2.         Strengthen us mentally. When we purposefully spend time in God's Word, we grow both spiritually and mentally. The more we read, observe, interpret, and apply Scripture, the more we nourish our minds. Memorizing verses helps build up our minds and slows down memory loss.

3.         Invigorate us physically. Our bodies are God's temple. We need to exercise and eat right to maintain our health. What we consume is essential. Walking or exercising can be a time to enjoy God's creation and reconnect with God away from distractions. Adonai desires us to be ready to serve in every season.

4.         Grow us spiritually. Spiritual growth is the key to winning battles in all areas of our lives. If we aren't meeting regularly with other Christians and serving our local body of believers, as the Bible encourages us to do, it becomes easy to neglect our spiritual growth.

Each of these areas is crucial. Satan is always prowling around, watching for weaknesses. He hurls fiery darts to attack us. Some people compare these darts to gnats. Just as gnats get into our eyes, noses, and mouths, fiery darts can take many forms and enter us through various means. Many times, it is the things that irritate and distract us from God's mission. Satan wants addictions, distractions, and busyness to oppress us. He aims to prevent us from healing, growing, serving, and learning.

As we learn about El Gibbor, we need to ask Him to guide, renew, and strengthen us. God wants to bless us. When we fast and pray for those who are oppressed, He will bless us. As we meditate on this part of Isaiah 58:11, let's be:

●      A beacon of Adonai's light in our dark world. He will shine through us as we serve others and share the Gospel.

●      Strong and durable. Durability is the long-term quality of an object. We need to be firm and unchanging in our beliefs.

●      Open to God's healing in all areas: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. As we spend time with Him and other believers, we can grow, strengthen, heal, and invigorate our ministry to others.

●      Praying that God will guide us continually, to renew and strengthen us every day.

God will strengthen us in all aspects: mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. We grow through trials and challenges. What is distracting you from God's mission for your life?

Discuss where you see God strengthening you mentally, emotionally, physically, or spiritually with friends or family. Where do you still need strength? Ask them to pray for you and ask for their help. Please drop a comment and let me know how I can pray for you.

Let us pray:

Adonai, You are the God who strengthens us. Make us stronger physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Show us where we need to grow and change. Guide, restore, and strengthen us daily. Keep us in Your embrace. Amen.