Sermon # 22 - Find Your Strength In God Series

We read in Psalm 84:5, “Blessed is the man whose strength is in You; Your ways are in their hearts.” (LITV)

We are blessed when God is our strength

If one were to ask the question, ‘Who is a blessed person or one who is blessed by God?’ the answer can be found in the above mentioned verse. The verse highlights two main qualities that makes a person a blessed one. The first characteristic is that he or she is a person who finds their strength in the Lord, and secondly they have the ways of God set in their hearts.

All of mankind was faced a tumultuous time during the pandemic. We have reached astounding heights in our advancements in science, technology, medicine, industrialization and tele-communication. However, in spite of all our progress we are apparently stuck with no way out of a severe pandemic. There was this thought that with all these improvements in every field, humanity could survive anything. Today, the world has become a global village where information from every nook and corner of the world can be shared all over the world. However, as the world battled with a terrible pandemic, there was no clear answer as to how this came about, or if there are those responsible for the outbreak of such a deadly disease.

It is therefore quite evident that as human beings we cannot really lean on any of these man-made advancements, to give us some sort of security or protection. None of this can be our strength, or be depended upon. There are many who have put their entire trust in their position, possessions, jobs, education, family, children and the knowledge they possess. However, if we were to ponder on this for a while, we will understand that none of these can save us. For those who thought any of the above mentioned were their strength, this is the time to actually sensitize ourselves to understand, as to what God is saying to us.

If someone were to ask us, ‘What is the strength of your life?’ what would our answer be. The word of God affirms that those who find their strength in God are the blessed ones.

We read in Habakkuk 3:19, “GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places.” (ESV)

The prophet Habakkuk makes this declaration that God the Lord was his strength. When God becomes our strength then He strengthens our feet to be like that of a deer’s. Two things that will be evident to someone who has made the Lord their strength, is that they will advance in leaps and bounds, and will also be taken to far greater heights. So when we earnestly desire to make the Lord our strength, we are guaranteed that we will be blessed immensely.

We are blessed when God’s ways are in our hearts

The second part of Psalm 84:5 states that the ones who are blessed are those who have chosen in their hearts to walk in God’s ways. Therefore, if our hearts are set on mal-practices and wicked schemes, there is no way that the blessing of the Lord would rest upon them.

In the midst of all the trouble that surround us, have we taken time to help someone in need? For those who say that they themselves are in dire straits, there are so many other ways you can still help. A concerned call, and a sympathetic ear can make a huge difference to many who are filled with fear and anxiety. These are days when we should turn our attention to the Lord Almighty, failing which no one can save us from these hardships that surround us.

For such a time as this

In the book of Esther, we read about a message that Esther’s uncle Mordecai sent to her.

We read about this is in Esther 4:14, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (ESV)

The entire Jewish community was facing a threat, and it was during this time that Esther was chosen to be queen in that kingdom, and was settled in the palace. Esther had everything that she needed, security, comfort and the honor of being a queen. However, her own Jewish people’s lives were in jeopardy. Mordecai had to remind Esther that it was for this very purpose that God had elevated her, and appointed her to that key position in the kingdom.

These are those days when we should do all we can to help, and show genuine concern for those around us who are in need. If we do not take heed to this call, the help will come to people through someone else, but we will miss out on the blessing that should be ours. If we have been blessed, and kept in a prominent position, it is simply so we can be a blessing to others. Let us look for opportunities to enquire after those who are in need, and also do whatever we are capable of, to help alleviate the hardships that others are challenged with.