The Strength of the Lord

By Anja Meyer

The fact that I studied Maths at university, proves how much I enjoy the order, precision, and rule-following of this subject. So, when my friend spoke of this formula, if you will, in the Scriptures, I was naturally intrigued. It follows a progression between verses, and it meant a lot to me to study this out.

As wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, we often pray and long for the strength of the Lord. It could be worries and fears, significant loss, financial or relationship stress or physical weakness, or weariness that press us - we find that we need strength from the Lord to walk through it to the glory of God. 

Look at Philippians 4:13 with me: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Paul explains in the previous verse how he has gone through a range of difficult trials, but he has learned, and knows for sure, that the Lord will give him the strength he needs. He is confident that he can go through it with this strength from the Lord. 

So, how do we get this strength of the Lord that we so desperately need? 

Follow me on to the last part of Nehemiah 8:10 - "... for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

In spite of tremendous intimidation and hindrance, Nehemiah has overseen the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, and finally, it was completed. The children of Israel were settling back into their land. At the start of chapter eight, the people congregated before the water gate and asked Ezra, the scribe, to read from the law of Moses to them. They desired to hear what the Lord had commanded Israel. After Ezra has read to the people from the morning until midday and several men have explained what they heard to them, the people worshipped the Lord in tears. Nehemiah then instructed the people to have a feast, because this intense joy that they received from hearing and understanding the words of the Lord, is their strength.

This leads me to the middle part of the next verse, Psalm 16:11 -"...in thy presence is fullness of joy..."

The joy, which is the strength of the Lord that we so desperately need, is found in the presence of the Lord. Spending time with the Lord can be tricky in a busy household season full of little children to care for, a season of illness, or a season of extra demands on our time from outside the home. Dear friend, we cannot let the precious time of communion with our Lord fall by the wayside. I have been guilty of this and suffered the loss of my joy, which is my strength.

Determine in your heart to put time with the Lord first, hear His Words, understand them, and spend time in prayer with Him. 

So, how exactly do we approach the Lord? Psalm 100 explains clearly: 

Verse 2 - "... come before his presence with singing..."

Verse 4 - "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."

We come into the Lord's presence with thankfulness in our hearts and praise on our lips. This directs our thoughts and minds to the wonderful Heavenly Father He is. It reminds us of how able and willing He is to equip, enable, and encourage us in whatever trial we're facing. This brings the joy to our hearts which cannot be quenched by any circumstance we find ourselves in.

Finally, we can function in the strength of the Lord as Paul described in Philippians 4!

Please do not forget this mathematical formula: 

singing + thanksgiving + praise -> the presence of the Lord -> fullness of joy = the strength of the Lord 

Dear friend, we serve a wonderful God. 

Psalm 100:5 - "For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."

May you live in His strength.