“Beat your plowshares into swords And your pruning hooks into spears; Let the weak say, “I am strong!”” Joel. 3:10.
A cowboy was driving down a rough road, his dog riding in the back of the pickup truck, his faithful horse in the trailer behind. He failed to negotiate a curve and had a terrible accident. Sometime later, a highway patrol officer came on the scene. An animal lover, he saw the horse first. Realizing the serious nature of its injuries, he drew his service pistol and killed the animal, putting it out of his misery. He walked around the accident and found the dog, also badly hurt. He couldn't bear to hear it whine in pain, so he ended the dog's suffering as well. Finally he located the cowboy --who suffered multiple fractures all over his body. "Hey, are you okay?" the cop asked. The cowboy took one look at the smoking pistol in the trooper's hand and quickly replied, "I have never felt better, all I need is a little help!"
In our story, it was obvious that the cowboy was badly hurt from the accident, but beholding the fate of his two animals from the hand of the crazy trooper. His confession had to change for his life to be preserved. Could it be that many of us are actually products of our negative confessions? Negative confessions can reinforce negative thought patterns, such as pessimism or failure or even catastrophe, making it harder to see opportunities or positive outcomes. Negativity may not be all there's in making people fail, but it could be an added factor. The Lord promises again and again in His Word that He will strengthen us. He knows that, as human beings, we often feel our weakness to the point where we don’t believe we can be strong.
Notice that strength is first something we confess with our mouths. We say to ourselves, “I am strong.” Note, too, that the Bible doesn’t say we were strong or that we will be strong. It says we are to speak to ourselves in the now of our circumstances and say, “I’m strong!” What a good word that is to us when we are feeling weak…unable to cope or to bear up under the pressure, to be patient or have courage. In that very moment…in that very circumstance, we can claim, by our faith, the provision of God to us: “I’m strong!” On what is our strength based? Our strength is not in ourselves but in Christ Jesus who lives within us by the power of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul wrote, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might” (Eph. 6:10). Take that as God’s word to you today! You can be strong in any situation or circumstance you face today because the Spirit of God is strong within you!
FURTHER READING:
“You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin.” Jer. 51:20.
“On that day the LORD will defend the people of Jerusalem, so that the weakest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD going before them.” Zech. 12:8.
DECLARATION:
Dear Abba Father, I thank You for the gift of life and the privilege of salvation. Dear Lord, I come to You, acknowledging my limitations and weariness. I ask You to supernaturally infuse me with Your divine strength and power, far beyond my own ability. Lord, renew my strength like the eagle's, so I can run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. Give me strength to face this day, to accomplish my tasks, and to overcome spiritual battles. Strengthen my mind, purify my heart, and fill me with Your peace and joy, making me a better example for my family and others. Help me to rely on You, not myself, and to find my power in Your presence in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Cor. 1:1-31.
1 Cor. 2:1-16.
1 Cor. 3:1-23.
1 Cor. 4:1-21.
1 Cor. 5:1-13.
1 Cor. 6:1-20.
QUOTE FOR THE DAY:
“Whatever You Can Find In The Lord Is Your Reality. Stop Looking At Yourself.”
