Got God? Got Strength!

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:7

God, Your power's ever strong,
 You never tire out;
 It is comforting to know
 Your strength I'll never doubt.

 You're not a temporal refuge-
 A passing fancy or phase;
 You're with me in my circumstances,
 As I seek Your ways.
 
  This world is full of battles,
 Your Word says this is true;
 But You'll teach and strengthen me,
 Beside me see them through.
 
 If I need a human touch,
 To give me support or hope,
 I'll call upon a brother or sister
 Who, through You, helps me cope.
  
 So I'll sing to You each morning,
 A cry for help or praise;
 To hear Your Word in music, Lord,
 Lifts my heart always. 

How does God strengthen us? Scripture tells us we are strengthened through His power as a refuge in times of trouble, in our battles, through other Christians, and by music to name a few. He is our source of strength that never fails. His power and strength never diminishes. (Isaiah 40: 29 He gives power to the weak. And to those who have no might He increases strength.) We can plug into His Word any time and know there will never be a power outage! How comforting to know that we can forever rely upon His strength and power.

God is not a temporal refuge. He is dependable, always there when we call on Him. We can run to Him for safety and regain our strength as we rest in Him. (Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.) Sometimes we need to step away from our situation in order to get clarity. When we give it to God, we can rest in the knowledge that He will guide us through it. Through prayer, meditation, and waiting upon God, He renews our strength, shows us the way, and sees us through.

We face battles on a daily basis. Some are easily conquered, but others are hard and on-going. God promises to give us strength to meet these challenges, but He doesn’t promise to eliminate them. Without our battles, we would not grow. However, He does not leave us alone with our challenges. Instead, He stands beside us, teaches us, and strengthens us to face them! (Psalm 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way secure.)

God provides people as a source of strength during difficult times. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.) He calls us to be a family for that very purpose. We carry the weak. It is comforting to know I can call on a fellow believer to lift me up when I feel beat down by life. We are supported by their strength in numbers. What peace it brings the soul when you have an army of prayer warriors on their knees for you! Together we are strengthened by hope. There’s nothing like a word of encouragement from a brother or sister in the Lord!

And then there’s the power of music. I don’t know about you, but music has a way of speaking to me that touches my soul like nothing else. Through worshiping in song, we are strengthened by God’s power. It provides a way to express grief, relief, and praise. (Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.) It’s such a release to cry out in song when we’re troubled, and such joy when we belt out a song in praise for all He’s done for us!

So, my friends, if you’ve got God, you’ve got strength! Just plug yourselves into His Word and feel His mighty power flow through you! Stay strong, my friends!

Lord, I am so grateful I can rely on you to give me strength in times of trouble. Through Your presence, Your Word, fellow believers, and music, I am never without a source of strength to see me through. May I forever sing Your praises for all You provide! Amen