I have spent the last few weeks listening to podcasts, working through several different Bible Studies, finding time alone to worship, & really trying to throw myself into the Word.
It’s easy to talk to God but it’s not always easy to hear His response. You see satan yells lies because he has too. He’s too far away. But Christ is so close – His Holy Spirit dwells within us. So He doesn’t have to yell – He can simply whisper.
But sometimes it requires us to be silent – to drown out those loud thoughts we know are not from God – to really be in His Word so we can hear His response to our call. I know that when I’m face to face with something difficult – often unexpected – the only way to get through it is with His power & strength.
In Haiti there’s a saying – “After God…there’s only you.” What that translates to is – I trust God (although maybe not totally) because I have to have a back-up which is you. So please help me because I only have you and God.
The problem I have with that – is that God is more than enough. If their hope is in me – what happens when I’m no longer here? If you are finding your strength – your faith – your courage – your financial security – your worth – through someone after God…. then you will inevitably be disappointed.
I can’t rely on someone else to be my rock because every human-being has the capacity to fail us. That rock could crumble any day at any time. But God will come through every single time without fail.
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I tell my friends there is no – “After God” – there is “ONLY GOD”. I too have to make sure that God is enough for me. I have to make sure I’m not relying on anyone else more than Him. I need to make sure I’m not trying to secure a back-up for God either.
So I’ve started claiming these verses below when I’m feeling weak or burdened. Because it is within my weakness that His strength is shown. May His Word be your source of strength as well. ONLY GOD.
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Isaiah 40:29
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Psalm 119:28
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Psalm 22:19
But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
Psalm 28:7-8
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 33:2
O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.
Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Habakkuk 3:19
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
Ephesians 3:16
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
