BE STRONG
26th Feb 2025
I wonder how many of you know the song, “Be bold, be strong!” I well remember when it was the song of the moment, and we all sang it with joy and confidence. Here are the words:
“Be bold! Be strong!
For the Lord your God is with you.
Be bold! Be strong!
For the Lord your God is with you.
I am not afraid, I am not dismayed,
Because I’m walking in faith and victory,
Come on walk in faith and victory,
For the Lord, your God is with you.”
So is this a practical reality, or just a song that rolls easily off the tongue? Paul says in Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
Paul goes on to give some keys to being strong in our life day by day. First, we need to recognise the “devil’s schemes” because as Paul continues, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world…” We are not living in a bland world, and the powers of darkness are trying to derail us and fill us with fear and rob us of peace.
Then Paul says, “Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the evil days come, you may be able to stand your ground.” He then goes on to speak about the armour - the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit and prayer.
So where is your strength coming from? We have been given authority over all the devices of the devil, and we need to learn to use that authority to combat the devious ways he seeks to trip us up.
We also need to be clothed in the armour of God so that our confidence is in God and not our own ability; and we need a constant infilling of the Holy Spirit so that we are living out of heavenly resources not our own strength.
Isaiah 40:31 states: “Those who wait upon 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.”
So reach out and live “strong in God” today, and don’t be limited by your own human strength.
by Charles Sibthorpe
