Recognizing Our Need For God's Strength

The revelation of the strength of God

How often have we relied on our own strength? our own abilities? our own intuition? We have been taught, most of us, to be self reliant and independent from needing any outside help. But the truth is that we have always and will always need help. Even if we have figured out how to become independent in some areas, we are deficient in others. But we serve a God that is deficient in NOTHING!!!! In Him there is no lack, only life, power , strength, and love.

In creation

Romans 1:20 ESV

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

In providence

Psalm 135:6 ESV

Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

In redemption

;

Deliverance from Egypt:

Exodus 3:19–20 ESV

But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go.

; ; ; ; ;

Deuteronomy 4:34 ESV

Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

; ; ; ;

; ;

Psalm 77:13–15 ESV

Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples. You with your arm redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

; ;

; ;

; David’s song of praise for deliverance; ; ;

In human weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV

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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

;

2 Corinthians 13:4 ESV

For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.

See also ; ;

See also ; ;

In judgment

Revelation 6:15–17 ESV

Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

See also

Psalm 89:10 ESV

You crushed Rahab like a carcass; you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.

; ; ; ; ; ; ;

; ; ;

Revelation 18:8 ESV

For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”

2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 ESV

in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

; ; ;

; ; ;

God’s strength brings comfort to believers

Psalm 27:1 ESV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:3 ESV

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.

; ; ;

; ;

John 10:28–29 ESV

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

;

Romans 8:31 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?