CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 1000

 “Strength to Strength”

They go from strength to strength… (Psalm 84:7)

The image at the left is the Arapahoe Glacier Trail in Colorado. I last hiked this trail in the late 1970’s and I was reminded of that experience by our reference Scripture about going from strength to strength. I recall strengthening myself with a good breakfast before hitting the trail head but by the time I had hiked above timberline I was physically spent. My strength was gone and I labored to put one foot in front of the other. After a short rest and eating some lunch I was restrengthened and able to complete the hike and the return trip to my campground.

In life we continually go from physical and emotional strength to weakness and hopefully back to strength again. This cycle does not need to hold true for us spiritually. God has made a way for us to continually grow in sanctifying grace and power – to go from strength to strength.

Adam and Eve had enjoyed the ultimate abiding presence of God before sin drove them from the garden and separated them from God. Consequently, their physical, emotional, and spiritual strength would wane. …therefore the Lord God sent him out from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. (Genesis 3:23) …and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7)

But God had a plan to restore mankind to Him. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.  I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. (John 6:50-51)

Jesus is the bread of life and by abiding in Him and He in us we can live life in this world going from strength to strength. Even though our bodies will wear out and eventually go the way of all the earth, we can rejoice in the continual growth in spiritual strength that God’s sanctifying power gives us. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength… (Isaiah 40:29-31)

This seasonal celebration of Christmas is all about God’s love for us given in the person of Jesus. He was born to die for our sins. He came to redeem us and to make a way that we can be reconciled to God – so that we can go from spiritual strength to strength. Through Him we are saved and justified. By His Holy Spirit we are sanctified and will be glorified on the last day.

The celebration of Christmas is much more than a Happy Holiday or even a Merry Christmas. It is a rejoicing in a Holy Day – a day when our redeemer was born. Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (Ephesians 6:10) Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! (1 Chronicles 16:11)

May you have a joyful celebration of the birth of our savior and Lord!