Where does my strength come from?

— Midweek Meditations:
thoughts, inspiration and encouragement
from ACF community members —

Do you feel sometimes already tired before the day even starts? Endless snoozing of the alarm clock in the hope that just another five minutes will make the difference, but didn’t? Before getting up thoughts already whirling through your head about all the things which need to be done today, some small, some overwhelmingly big or awkward? And then there are the draining memories of yesterday of failure, of unresolved quarrel with people close to our heart, perhaps of guilt and worries about tomorrow depleting whatever is left.

Where can we find strength what can give us the energy to face the challenges of life, the sadness of loss and the loss of hope?

Having close friends, experiencing the support of a happy marriage, the joyful sight of healthy children growing up happily, success at work, victories over different challenges, wealth or at least resources sufficient to supply for daily life, and especially having a purpose which gives life meaning and direction are great empowering experiences. I thank God for all of them as I have experienced the joy-giving strength of all of them many days in my life.

BUT, but why do I still wake up certain mornings overwhelmed, without strength, worried?

It seems that none of the above are everlasting, guaranteed sources of strength but rather require a deeper source that lasts even through droughts, hold up after a night of devastating flooding, in sickness, despite poverty, and can reach deep enough into a depressed heart, confused minds, and restore hope after personal rejection, deprivation and in affliction. COVID19 has not only taken many lives but it seems that many suffering from what has been termed LongCOVID and are experiencing the draining of all the strength they were running on beforehand. Being chronically exhausted and tired, this experience demonstrates how fragile our own strength is.

So, where does our strength come from?

He, the Lord, 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.

Isaiah 40:29-31

and one chapter later:

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

David prays in the psalms:

I love you, Lord, my strength.
(…)
It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

Ps18:1&32

David, a powerful man who had experienced many ups and downs of life including the distrust of his king, the loss of his best friend in battle and the betrayal and death of his own son, so that he and his men wept aloud until they had even no strength left to weep. (1 Sam 30:4)

Paul was beaten up by all kind of people, imprisoned for his message, ship wrecked and finally facing death in Rome says:

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Phil 4:13

None of them had an easy life or were convinced that the faith in their God would provide an easy life. No, they knew that life is hard, full of disappointments, struggles and hurt, but they had experienced the power of His presence in their lives. It was “God with us”, Emmanuel, the presence of the great “I am”, the creator of heaven and earth, the endless love of the ever forgiving Father in heaven, which gave them the strength to get up and continue. Jesus said

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matt 11:29

There will be burden in our lives but we don’t need to carry them alone. We can rely on His shoulders. As For King and Country sing:

“…I’ll find my comfort here
‘Cause I know that You are near…
You are my rest, my rescue…
(…)
Your forgiveness is my fortress
Oh Your mercy is relentless…”

---

Lord, enter our lives with your loving strength, be present and help us trust even in the valleys of life that…

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39

Your presence, Lord, is our refuge, fortress, the source of our hope and joy and dignity. Remind us every morning to come into your presence through prayer and in fellowship. Let us remind each other of the honor, being accepted in the eyes of God, forgiven, restored so that we can experience together the victory of salvation.

Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

Is 33:2

Amen.