“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
The word “strong,” in this verse, implies that we are to be empowered and enabled by the power that God imparts. Some think they are to always have their act together and never show weakness or need. But this view is far from the truth. We are to be enabled in the power and ability that God imparts to us, not in our own strength.
The Message Bible says: And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong.
Picture a man dangling over a huge precipice at the end of a rope. He is trying with all his might to hang on. But as time passes, he will weaken and lose his ability to hang on. He will fall. That is a picture of doing things in our own strength. Now picture that same man pulling that rope around him and tying a knot and sitting in a sling chair on the end of that rope. That is a picture of being strong, but not in our own strength but in God’s. We aren’t holding the rope. The rope is holding us.
I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His ability that works in me today.
- Reading Plan A: Romans 2
- Reading Plan B: Matthew 22
- Reading Plan C: Psalms 65-67; Romans 2
by Tim Davidson
Excerpt permission granted by
Word of Faith Church & Outreach Center
Called to the Body of Christ as a pastor and teacher, Tim Davidson pioneered Word of Faith Church in Bismarck in 1980. He served as its Lead Pastor for 35 years and now serves as Founding Pastor. Pastor Tim has pioneered 6 churches in North Dakota and now serves as Regional Director for Rhema Ministerial Association International. Teaching believers foundational truths from God's Word is his passion.
He has authored 3 yearly devotion books that are used both here and overseas to help believers become "rooted and grounded" in their faith.
God is now calling Pastor Tim to share the treasury of wisdom and knowledge God has given to him with other pastors and churches.