“Who is doing this—you or Me? ~God”
That’s the question I read recently, and it was interesting timing considering within a week’s time the messages “don’t give up” and “keep praying” came up. Especially, because it can feel deflating and wearisome when we keep praying for the same thing and don’t see results. Does a conversation like this ever happen with you? “Lord, I’m wore out. I can’t do this anymore, please give me strength, …” I know I’ve had that exact conversation. And in a fallen world where the list is entirely too long of things that may impact how weak and wore out we feel it’s not surprising. I’ve noted just a few.
- Conflict with family
- Healing for loved ones
- Toxic workplace
- Children that are lost
- Broken marriage
- A miscarriage
The circumstances life brings is one reason it is important we know the answer to the question above “Who is doing this- you or Me?”
With that question in mind, I started a journey of revisiting scriptures on God’s promises, and His strength.
- “The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:2
- “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” Psalm 84:5
- “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19
- “My flesh and my heart my fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
Judges 7 is a wonderful story of strength. If you’re not familiar with the details the summary is, it’s a story of Gideon, thru Christ, defeating the Midianites. It also cautions us about thinking that we can do everything in our own strength.
But the deeper, richer story here is one of battle, knowing who truly had the strength to defeat the enemy, how Gideon trusted God in crazy circumstances, and ultimately that God deserved the glory.
Here’s an excerpt from my bible that helps paint the picture.
“Facing overwhelming odds, Gideon was afraid. God understood his fear but didn’t excuse Gideon from his task. Instead, he allowed Gideon to slip into the enemy camp and overhear a conversation that would give him courage.
God can give you the strength you need for any situation. And don’t be startled by the way he helps you. Like Gideon, you must listen to God and be ready to take the first step. After you begin to obey God you will find the courage to move ahead.”
When we start to think we can do things in our strength it can be dangerous, and we can begin to become self-sufficient instead of God reliant.
We weren’t designed to do things in our strength. Look at the definition for strength and it becomes even more evident that as humans we would feel weary or worn out.
- Strength: firmness; solidity or toughness; power or vigor of any kind; capacity for exertion or endurance
All of us feel weak and tired at some point, that’s one reason we place our hope in the Lord and his promise that he doesn’t ever do either of those things.
He never gets tired.
He never gets weary.
And a scripture from Isaiah points us to this unshakeable truth of where our true strength comes from.
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God.
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.”
Isaiah 40:28-29
Abba, praise your Holy Name! You are the ultimate promise keeper, it brings comfort that when we feel weary and weak, we can find hope in Your word that you will give us strength. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen
This week’s playlist
Michael W. Smith – Surrounded (Fight My Battles) – YouTube
You Keep On Getting Better Lyrics – Maverick City Music – YouTube
Phil Wickham – Battle Belongs (Lyrics) – YouTube
