From Strength to Strength

Blessed are those whose strength is in you…They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84: 5, 7

Would you describe yourself as spiritually strong? There are many times in my past I have been spiritually weak. I lacked courage to speak truth. I focused on the “impossible” and was hesitant to move forward in faith, or I allowed difficulty to halt my spiritual growth. Can you relate?

Yet, the psalmist declares that the blessed believer is characterized by strength. Think of those in scripture who displayed strength. David faced Goliath with strong courage. Mary received the news of her divine pregnancy with strong faith. I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me as you have said (Luke 1:38). Paul displayed strength in determination. He was stoned in Lystra, left for dead, yet got up and continued spreading the gospel.

What made these men and women different? It was the Spirit of the powerful God. Strength didn’t come from them, nor does it come from us. It comes from the Lord. Blessed are those whose strength is in you (Psalm 84:5). As you and I fully surrender to God, His Spirit of power accomplishes mighty deeds in us and through us. In fact, the weaker we are, the more His power is made perfect in us. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The psalmist reminds us that growing in godly strength is a lifelong process: They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion (Psalm 84:7). As we journey through life with Jesus, He uses our experiences to strengthen us. Each time we encounter a trial, a characteristic of Jesus shines, strengthening our knowledge and trust of Him. As we study God’s Word, we are strengthened in knowledge, wisdom, and discernment. As we follow Jesus’ call to do the “impossible,” we are strengthened in dependence and faith.

What has God allowed in your life right now that He wants to use to strengthen you?

Lord, use what You bring into my life today to strengthen me.

Jan Burkhart