Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. Isn't it a blessing to be gathered here today, in the house of the Lord, ready to open our hearts and minds to His holy Word? As we come together in fellowship, let's remember that we are not alone. We are part of a vast family of believers, all seeking the same thing: strength for our earthly sojourn and sustenance for our day-to-day lives.

We are, as the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:19, "members of the household of God." We are brothers and sisters in Christ, united by our love for Him and our desire to follow His teachings. And it's in this spirit of unity and love that we turn to the Word of God today.

Our scripture today comes from the beautiful book of Psalms, a book filled with songs of praise, cries for help, and expressions of deep faith. Psalm 84:7 says, "They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion." This passage speaks to us about the strength that comes from God, a strength that sustains us, not just in times of difficulty, but in our everyday lives.

In reading this verse, I am reminded of a quote from the respected Christian author, J.I. Packer. He once said, "The Christian's life in all its aspects - intellectual and ethical, devotional and relational, upsurging in worship and outgoing in witness - is supernatural; only the Spirit can initiate and sustain it. So apart from Him, not only will there be no lively believers and no lively congregations, there will be no believers and no congregations at all."

Indeed, our strength comes from the Spirit of God, who initiates and sustains our faith. Without Him, we would be powerless. But with Him, we can go from strength to strength, appearing before God in Zion, secure and sustained in our faith.

Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the opportunity to gather together in Your name, to study Your Word, and to grow in our faith. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to the message You have for us today. Help us to understand and apply Your Word in our lives. Give us the strength to face whatever challenges we may encounter, and the wisdom to see Your hand at work in all things. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Transition. So, dear friends, let's turn our hearts and minds to God's Word, and consider what it means to secure strength for our walk with God, to sustain that strength in our day-to-day lives, and to showcase that strength as Christians in a world that so desperately needs to see the love and power of God.

Securing Strength for the Journey

When we think about the strength we need for our walk with God, we must first consider where that strength comes from. It doesn't come from ourselves, from our own abilities or resources. It comes from God, the source of all strength. The Psalmist tells us that we go from strength to strength, each one appearing before God in Zion. This tells us that our strength is not a one-time gift, but a continual process, a constant replenishment of God's power in our lives.

The first aspect of this is understanding that our strength comes from God. We can't generate it on our own. We can't muster up the courage or the energy to face life's challenges without Him. We need His power, His strength, His grace. It's like trying to light a lamp without oil. It just won't work. We need the oil of God's Spirit to fuel the flame of our faith.

Secondly, we must understand that this strength is not just for the big battles, but for the everyday struggles as well. It's not just for the moments of crisis, but for the mundane moments of life. It's for the moments when we're tired, when we're discouraged, when we're overwhelmed. God's strength is there for us, ready to lift us up, to carry us through, to help us keep going.

Thirdly, we must remember that this strength is not just for ourselves, but for others as well. We are called to be a source of strength for those around us, to encourage and uplift them, to help them in their time of need. And we can only do this if we are filled with God's strength, if we are continually drawing from His well of power and grace.

Lastly, we must understand that this strength is not just for the present, but for the future as well. It's not just for the here and now, but for the eternal. It's for the moments when we're faced with the reality of our mortality, when we're confronted with the brevity of life. God's strength is there for us, ready to guide us, to comfort us, to assure us of His presence and His promises.

Transition. So, as we consider these aspects of securing strength for our walk with God, let's remember that it's not about our own abilities or resources. It's about God's power, His grace, His love. It's about His strength, which is made perfect in our weakness. It's about His promise to be with us, to guide us, to sustain us, to strengthen us. It's about His commitment to us, His faithfulness to us, His love for us. And it's about our response to Him, our trust in Him, our reliance on Him. For it's only when we lean on Him, when we draw from His well of strength, that we can truly go from strength to strength, each one appearing before God in Zion.

Sustaining Strength in Day-to-Day Life

As we continue to reflect on Psalm 84:7, it's important to consider the ways in which this strength is sustained in our day-to-day lives ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO