July 23, 2019
Everyone admires strength. We are awed by the mighty physical strength of some. We are inspired by the emotional and spiritual strength of great men and women. We write books about those who have endured great trials, overcome supernatural odds, find victory in the face of great obstacles.
And, we all need strength. Strength to face tough challenges or endure great tragedies. Strength to go on. To keep going when others lose hope. To stand and even to win in the face of opposition and injustice and overwhelming odds.
THE UNDENIABLE SOURCE
But, where does great spiritual strength come from? There is one source, and David (a mighty man in every way) knew without question the source of his strength.
29 For by You I can run upon a troop; And by my God I can leap over a wall.
30 As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
31 For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God,
32 The God who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless?
33 He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me upon my high places.
34 He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand upholds me; and Your gentleness makes me great.
36 You enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped.
It was utterly clear with David: all the supernatural strength he possessed came from God and God alone. God was the One who was lifting him, carrying him, empowering him, exalting him. The hind was the female deer who was swifter than others and sure-footed on the side of a mountain, going where others could not go, escaping what others couldn’t escape, and leaping over obstacles that were insurmountable. Noted for their agility and unbelievable grace of motion, they would outrun their enemies. This described David as he was pursued for years by a relentless enemy, King Saul.
This was no poetic theory with David. He had been pursued by real enemies who sought to kill him, and he had supernaturally overcome them again and again. He had faced giants and slain them (as a mere, unarmed boy) with a sling and a stone. He had endured when others would have caved. He had led a nation with wisdom while still a young man. It was not that David had extraordinary physical strength, it was that something was always making him able to win.
Why? GOD, GOD, GOD! It was the supernatural empowering of God! And David knew this literally. It is why the Psalms were written, giving verse after verse of praise to God so the world would forever know that it was not David’s strength that accomplished these things, but God’s.
HIS AVAILABLE STRENGTH
This God has not changed. He has not lost any strength through the ages. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He can make YOU strong enough for any experience and enemy you face. He can give you sufficient grace for literally anything. There is no demand made upon you that is not made upon the Christ who is within you (if you know Him).
The reason God had David record this Psalm is for you to know where supernatural strength comes from and for you to access this same inexhaustible source. And when He does empower you and make you able, God wants you, like David, to give Him all the glory, for it is important for others to know this same Strength you’re experiencing is available to them.
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