Only In His Strength

How often we look within ourselves for the strength to overcome circumstances, large or small, in our daily lives, when instead we should look beyond to our Father and seek the power of His strength!  I find that at times I war against myself, striving to solve it all on my own.  This devotion that I'm sharing below has encouraged me to keep on seeking His strength instead, when that weariness begins to set in and I'm feeling worried, or just plain exhausted.  So today, whatever you are going through, take a moment to stop and confess the LORD as your strength ... then rest in Him, and trust! 

  
* Living by grace involves depending upon God to work in our lives.  For the greater part of his life, David was an outstanding Old Testament example of such living.  This was certainly evident in the way David frequently confessed the Lord as his strength.

Everyone in this fallen world needs strength just to deal with the daily responsibilities and challenges of life.  When you add the calling and desire of believers to please and honor God, much strength is needed day by day.  David confessed the Lord as his strength for living.  "The LORD is the strength of my life."  How wonderful to know that the Lord is with us to impart His strength in us for every aspect of our lives, whether home, or work, or ministry, or whatever.

In our earthly pilgrimage, we need strength to stay on course.  The world, the flesh, and the devil want to prevent us from progressing down the Lord's perfect path.  David found in the Lord the strength for this need as well. 

"It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect" [Psalm 18:32]. 

At times, when walking along our designated path of life, we get trapped in circumstantial nets, laid by the enemy of our souls.  When David experienced these traps, he cried out to God for the necessary strength.

"Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength" [Psalm 31:4]. 

At other times, along our path, the problem is not a trap, but an all out battle.  Once again, David found the strength he needed in His Lord. 

"For You have armed me with strength for the battle;
You have subdued under me those who rose up against me" [Psalm 18:39].

Sometimes the need for strength pertains to what is going on within (or flowing forth from within).  The thoughts we are thinking and the words we are expressing might need to be anchored again in the will of the Lord.  David also knew how to turn to God for this essential strength as well. 

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer" [Psalm 19:14]. 

When he weakened within and stumbled in failure, David still knew where to turn for the only help that will ever prove sufficient. 

"My flesh and my heart fail;
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" [Psalm 73:26]. 

Whatever the need for strength, David learned to rely upon the Lord. 
"The LORD is...my strength, in whom I will trust."

O Lord, my strength, I need your strength for daily responsibilities, strength for staying on track with You,
strength for periodic battles, strength for weaknesses within, strength to please You. 
You are my strength; I trust You! 

Thank you if you've made it this far!! I know it was a bit lengthy, but I do hope you found encouragement in these words, as I did.  In His Word will we find the strength to rest in Him! 

I'm linking up with Heather over at a Scripture and a Snapshot, and if you have some time this week, do click the link below and drop on over to join in or just enjoy looking through the other entries!  Hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day, and a blessed week!

Hugs,
- Deborah

Scripture and a Snapshot | ... dwell on these things

It's so easy to focus on the negative in our world these days, isn't it?!
Rarely, do we hear of any real positive news.
I find that this scripture, along with others,
helps to bring my mind back around

and I begin to dwell on all that is good and right in, and through, Him!

Ultimately we know that God is in control,
and in His Word we can find the truth, the hope,
and encouragement this world so desperately needs!

So, today, this week,
whenever you find your mind tending toward the negative,

dwell on these things!

So happy to be sharing with Heather again this week!
Come and join in for more of what is true, honorable, just,
pure, commendable, of moral excellence, and praise,
at a Scripture and a Snapshot!

Blessings,
~ Deborah ~

Scripture and a Snapshot

It's been awhile, but I'm excited to be linking up with 

Just Heather of Heather T Imagery

for this weeks Scripture and a Snapshot.

This tea cup holds such a special place in my heart ...
it was a gift from my son.

How much more do we hold a special place in God's heart ...
His gift to us was His Son!

Now thanks be to God for His Gift,
[precious] beyond telling
[His indescribable, inexpressible, free Gift]!
2 Corinthians 9:15 - AMP



Click below, come on over, join in,
and get encouraged in the Word!
Hope your week is blessed!