The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
(Psalm 28:7 NIV)
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome [evil spirits],
because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
(1 John 4:4 NIV)
I heard a story about a little boy who had a vision of heaven and was able to see his dad. After the boy met with his father, Jesus asked him who else he wanted to see, and he requested Samson. Jesus took the boy to see Samson, but the boy was a little disappointed because he looked not like a bodybuilder or superhero, but just a regular guy. I’d probably have been disappointed, too, unless I thought more about the story.
The reason Samson had such great strength wasn’t because he’d spent years in the gym lifting weights, but because, “The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him.” (Judges 14:19 NIV). The reason Elijah could outrun King Ahab’s chariots is because “The power of the Lord came on Elijah and [so] tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. (1 Kings 18:46) Similarly, God did the same for Elijah when he was discouraged, depressed, and facing despair: “Strengthened by [those two meals of] food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. (1 Kings 19:8 NIV) Being able to lift immense weight or run long distances is not natural strength, but a supernatural display of God’s empowerment.
Many times in my life I have clung to the comforting words of Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV) for my strength:
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
But, the book of Nehemiah reminds us of one other God-given source of strength: our joy. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV). The Holy Spirit within us plants all the fruits of the Spirit – including JOY – that can grow and that we can access. How? By asking for more of the Holy Spirit within us, and by practicing joy! Have you ever sat and just laughed for no reason at all? What if Jesus were sitting by you and just started to laugh – not at you, but with the intention of you joining in the fun!?!? Laughter can release joy. Joy is a strength.
As believers God is already within us and is absolutely greater, better, and stronger than any circumstance, force, or evil spirit we could face in this world. Whether supernatural or the joy within us, God is our strength-giver. So, let us draw deeply from the Holy Spirit’s well of strength and joy within us.
Joyful God,
Everlasting God and Creator of the world, thank you that you never grow tired or weary, but you give strength to your children who are struggling. Thank you for being our strength and shield; our hearts trust in you and as we praise you we sing for joy. Thank you that when we hope in you, you will renew our strength to face the difficult parts of life. Thank you for the supernatural and natural ways in which you give us strength. And thank you that your JOY can be our strength. Help us to remember that you are greater than any circumstance, force, or evil spirit we face in this life. Help us to laugh more, stir up your Spirit within us, and to trust you for all we need in all seasons of life. We ask this in Jesus’s name, AMEN.