Be Strong

Last year, a young man in Indonesia heard a sound like a rushing water tap. Looking behind him a wall of water was coming towards him. He saw a tree up ahead and ran towards it. Grabbing hold of it, he was able to resist the water and climb to safety. There he stayed watching the destruction of the tsunami around him for hours. The tree saved his life. 

The Lord told His prophets to tell the people to “be strong in the Lord.” He wasn’t just saying “buck up” in hard times. The Hebrew word means to “grab hold of something/someone stronger than yourself.” This is exactly why Jesus came to earth, that we may “lay hold” on Him who is Eternal Life.

Peter placed his faith in Jesus as the Messiah and found himself grafted to the Lord and His strength every moment of his life. In the storm, Jesus came to them on the water. When Satan wanted to sift Peter, Jesus had already interceded for him and told him Satan wouldn’t succeed. When Peter was thrown in prison, the Lord was with him. At the end of his life, he wrote these beautiful words… “His divine power has given to us all we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

What is the key? “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” As we grow in knowing Him through the Bible, and take hold of His promises, we experience His nearness just as He promised… “Fear not, for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 40:10).

Be strong in the Lord.