Forever Strong

Do you ever look at someone and wonder how they do it? Maybe it’s an older lady or young couple in your church that you have seen go through the fire. Have you thought to yourself, “How are they so strong even after all they’ve been through?” God's Word tells us how in Isaiah chapter 26! Judah was waiting on the promises of God to destroy their enemies and to deliver their nation. I guess you could say they were in a season of waiting. They knew what God had told them, and they were waiting on the fulfillment of those promises.

A season of waiting is tricky. It can feel like there is nothing going on in your life; like God has quit working almost.

There is this human struggle of doing what you want to do or even the struggle of knowing that God is still working even if you can’t see it right now. Most of the “working” is God teaching you to fully depend on Him. Verse three says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee."

If we want perfect peace in our life, we must keep our mind stayed on God.

That word “stayed” in the original Hebrew means “to prop; reflexively to lean upon or to take hold of.” I love that word reflexively! It makes me think of whenever we trip or fall -- What is our natural reflex? -- to grab ahold of something or to reach for something that will steady us! What is your mind’s reflex? What does your mind grab ahold of or reach for when something doesn’t go as planned? Does your heart and mind reach for God and His promises or do we "freak out" and start overthinking everything? Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Does your mind instinctively think of a verse or promise you can claim?

Look to the Bible to steady you. When your minds become stayed on God, you trust Him in everything, from the little details ... all the way to the “big” things.

Lost your job?? No big deal...God will provide for His Children (Psalms 37:25). Age 27 and still single with no prospects in sight?? Don’t worry...you’re not going to end up an old maid with only cats to keep you company; God’s timing is beautiful (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Your car won’t start?? ... Okay, what is God trying to teach me? Lost family members still not responding?? ... God’s Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11)! And so on! (It’s easy to say; much harder to do.) In verse 4, our Scripture continues to tell us to trust God forever. We trust Him with our salvation. He is the giver of our everlasting life. Why can’t we trust Him with our life here on earth?

We keep trusting because He is a source of everlasting strength. This truth gives so much hope and joy -- He is everlasting and so is His strength; He will never run out of strength to give us!

Philippians 4:13 reiterates this same principle. When you get your strength from the Lord Jehovah, you will be forever strong. You may look weak to others while they continue to carry on in their self-sufficient pride and human successes, but verse 5 tells how God will humble those who need to be humbled. II Corinthians 12:9,10 reminds us that we are only strong through weakness.

True strength is fully relying on God, not ourselves, so that He alone is glorified.

I’ve read that some of the most beautiful people have been through the worst trials. The more I study the Bible and watch other Christians, I have found that this is so true! And here’s why, they have learned to trust in God and rely on Him for strength in every season! Nehemiah 8:10b says, “For the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Trust in a God who is the source of everlasting strength, perfect peace, and sound joy!

Written by Bethany Riley

(Bethany is Lydia's youngest daughter and a passionate follower of Jesus Christ)