Finding My Strength in the Lord

By Carl Kimbro, Fellowship Bible Church NWA Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team, 1/9/2019


Whenever we struggle or feel weakness in the face of temptation, rest assured someone will give us this advice: “Don’t go back to old habits and hang ups. Find your strength in the Lord. He alone can encourage and strengthen you”. It’s great advice, but what does it really mean?
Psalm 119:38 – My soul melts and is weary with sorrow; 
strengthen me according to your word.

David loved the Lord and had a desire to live for Him. Yet he struggled with sin and sorrow as he sought to live a life that was pleasing to God. When David wrote this, the pain was so great he felt it deep in his soul. His soul was melting due to the grievous troubles and temptations he faced. But God promised in His word to provide strength to those who love Him. In faith, David was asking God to provide him with this promised strength. He knew he would fail on his own. But if he called upon God, he knew God would provide him with the strength he needed to resist temptation and overcome sorrow and pain. David had great faith in God, and it sustained him in times of trouble. His complete trust in God is evident in this verse.

 Time and time again the Bible tells of the great faith David had in God and all His promises. David almost never acted without asking God for advice or putting his complete faith in Him. His joy, his peace, and his strength all came from God. If David was around when Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, I bet he would have
embraced Philippians 4:13 – 
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 

In writing this to the Philippians, Paul was both thanking them for their generosity to him and explaining that he was content even without it. Previous verses said he had “learned” to be content in all circumstances. It didn’t matter if he was hungry, in prison, in good health or bad health. As his relationship with God grew, so did his trust and faith in God to sustain him. His relationship with God allowed him to live in peace and contentment no matter what was going on around him. Paul didn’t rely on his own ability to get by. He turned to God and drew from His strength.

What about you? Where do you draw your strength from?  Are you fully relying on God to give you strength in your life? Do you long to have that close personal relationship with God like David did? Do we want God to help us resist temptation? Do we find contentment in God’s strength like Paul did? If this is a desire in your heart, put your trust in God to give you strength. Allow Him to be in control of your life. Draw strength from your relationship with Him, so like Paul, you can be content
in all circumstances.

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