This encouragement is for you to be strong in the Lord and not to trust in your own strength. Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” When do you need strength?
Perhaps you need strength when you are fearful of those who do evil or those who stand against the truth. You don’t need to be fearful, for God can be your strength and go with you in your spiritual battles. Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Perhaps you need strength when you feel attacked and need to be sheltered. Psalm 28:7-8 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed.”
Perhaps you need strength when you lack courage. Psalm 73:25-26 “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Perhaps you need strength against temptation and sin. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Perhaps you have become discouraged and feel that God has left you without help. Isaiah 40:28-31 “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” You must be patient and not expect God to always answer immediately. You need to wait upon the Lord because your timing may not be His timing. Hebrews 13:5b-6 “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” Someone can say bad things about you, or take your possessions or even take your life, but they cannot take away your salvation or your eternal reward. God has promised to be with you. Put things into perspective and do not be afraid but trust in His help.
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” Let your courage and strength be in the Lord.