SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1176

“Strength to Strength”

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, … They go from strength to strength; …. – Psalm 84:5-7

Psalm 84 speaks of people whose heart steadfastly seeks the presence of our Lord even as they have difficult ‘valley experiences’ in this life. Warren Wiersbe describes the Valley of Baca referenced in Psalm 84 as “any difficult and painful place in life, where everything seems hopeless and you feel helpless, like ‘the pit of despair.’”

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. – Isaiah 40:29

A new year has begun and many of us hang on to a tenuous hope that it will be better than the recent past.

My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! – Psalm 119:28

Indeed, pandemical persecution has escalated around the world as oppressive governments have used the pandemic crisis to increase Christian persecution according to Open Doors UK. Although North Korea is number 1 on the World Watch list for Christian persecution, our own United States is not exempt from such persecution tactics enacting mandates that force people to vaccinate or lose their jobs regardless of their religious right to refuse the vaccine.

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him… But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. – 1 Samuel 30:6

Like David, who faced many trials and difficulties, we can strengthen our self in the Lord.

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! – 1 Chronicles 16:11

From the fullness of His abiding presence in our heart we receive an abundance of grace to increase our strength of faith and trust in Jesus.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth… For from his fullness, we have all received, grace upon grace. – John 1:14-16

Are you in a ‘Valley of Baca’? Perhaps you are dealing with serious health issues for yourself or a loved one. You maybe going through significant changes – some forced upon you and some by your own choosing that put you in a difficult or stressful situation. Seek the Lord and His grace and strength. He is faithful and will take you through your valley.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble – Psalm 46:1

May this year be a year of growth in grace, in faith, in love, and in the knowledge of His Word.

May the Lord heal your body and mind and fill you anew with His Holy Spirit.

May you continually seek the abiding presence of our Lord as He takes you from strength to strength, grace upon grace, building you up into a spiritual warrior for the faith to the praise and glory of His Name.

May this year be a year of growth in grace, faith, strength, and knowledge of the Living Word.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 3:18