Strengthen Us Lord

A missionary had come home for a visit from the Philippines and shared something unique about the Believers there. War had been a problem for the last ten years with Islamic militias taking over certain islands. But in spite of the threat, the Christians continued to gather to learn the Word and to pray. But their prayers were different! 

In America, prayer meetings are often pleas for the pain to stop, the disease to be healed, or the conflict to end peacefully, but in the Philippines, they prayed for God to strengthen their faith, to harden their resolve to share the Gospel without fear, and to grow their endurance. They weren’t seeking comfort, but growth. 

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29). God never made us to have an endless supply of self-reliance, powered by pure determination. He made us to rely on Him and His sustaining Grace.

King David knew what it was to carry immense stress, with a coup brewing among his own men. Who could he trust? He knew exactly where to turn and “Strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6). 

Friends, with our political and economic future so uncertain, and our leaders telling us all to brace for the worst, we must not fear, but pray for strength, endurance, boldness for our faith, peace and even joy. God is still Lord over all and He is our Rock, our Firm Foundation. In Him resides enough strength for us all. Let Him strengthen you.

(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)