Thought for the Month

"Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (WEB)

"The people who know their God will be strong." Daniel 11:32 (WEB)

There has always been an emphasis on being strong or robust in the world. It has been noted in all walks of life and is commonplace from politicians.

Gym culture is causing young men to have strong bodies. This has health benefits but taken to excess can harm their bodies and minds and puts pressure on men to conform and look strong and muscular.

The book of Joshua told the children of Israel to be strong and courageous in entering the land and dividing it among the tribes. But it did not mean just in battles and war but also in observing the laws of Moses. In time Israel wanted all the benefits of being God’s people without the obligations. In the books of Samuel Eli’s sons took the Ark of the Covenant into war without consulting God. Having previously taken bribes which was contrary to the law and evidence of corruption. Amos foretold the same that the strong man, the warrior’s strength, shall not save himself in the day of battle because Israel’s sins, judgment or punishment would come upon them.

The Christian’s strength comes from above, not from our own bodies or from any earthly army but from confidence in God and his plans and purposes. Such are the sentiments in Hebrews 6:18 (WEB) that "it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us."

Great power comes through the Holy Spirit, the parakletos, that Jesus promised to send us; great miracles were done in the early church such as the healing of the lame man, the power to understand spiritual things and appreciate the plan of God as preached. In addition were the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, prophecy, discernment of spirits and so on.

Peter experienced the weakness of the flesh when he denied Jesus three times but this was before the Holy Spirit was shed on him. Later Peter was delivered from the prison cell in Jerusalem through an angel and lived many years to establish the church and write two epistles. Tradition has it he died a martyr’s death in the end.

God’s people have had to be strong at other times. During the Reformation many had to be strong and courageous to endure the persecution that was common from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Sufficient strength was given. Faith can thrive in persecution and an easy life can lead to relying on one’s own strength.

There is no one who is as strong as God. In comparison to God even the strongest human in physical or mental power is weak. Therefore "brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Eph.6:10)

The saying "a good big one will beat a good little one" is not always so in the Bible. The giant Goliath was nearly 10 feet tall and feared by all the warriors of Israel and David just a youth. But David said "the LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and...the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine." (1 Sam.17:37) That was so and it was Goliath who ended up dead.

Paul it is believed at some stage had a problem with his eyesight but all we know is he had a "thorn in the flesh" and prayed three times to have it removed. The answer came from God "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor.12:9) What an encouragement! To the weak, that in that state the power of Christ is more upon them than before