His Comfort!

Sometimes it's hard to know what to write on a public blog. And sometimes it's even harder, because I don't schedule out posts in advance. I tend to write as the Lord leads through experiences. I wrote a collection of devotionals last year, and because there is such a thing as "writer's block", I'd like to share one of them here with you. ;) I hope it's an encouragement to you. 

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. 

(Philippians 4:1, ESV)

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My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Psalm 73:26

            It’s when our strength is needed most that we are overwhelmed with our utter weakness.  Our finite body, mind, and emotions force us to stop, and our willpower says “I can’t go on”. Our physical power reaches its limit, and our mental stability cracks. Such is the constant condition of each human.

            But God doesn’t leave us here, to collapse under the effects of sin. The Psalmist acknowledges his source of strength even when his body and mind gives out: God. God is our strength; He’s the strength of our life and our emotions. The heart is the seat of our emotions, and God is the one who controls their intensity. When your emotions are drained, when you can only cry out to God with the little effort you have left—then He becomes your complete strength. He makes the wounded to fly with the wings of eagles. Not the whole, and not the perfect; but the wounded, cast down, and broken does He heal. He becomes their strength when they have no other.

            In providing food for us, He restores our bodily health, giving strength to the mind, as well. Sometimes our mental weakness correlates to our physical weakness. We will feel sick if we don’t keep our strength with regular intake of food. Yet, even though we may be physically healthy, God still provides a better food for us. His meat and drink fail not, and they satisfy the receiver, so that they will never hunger nor thirst again. He is our  portion. The One who said “Take eat. This is my body which is broken for you”, and “This cup is the new testament of my blood.” The soul food that’s enough—the Bread of Live and the Living Water—it never runs out. He is enough. 

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No stars gleam as brightly as those which glisten in the polar sky. No water tastes so sweet as that which springs amid the desert sand. And no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs through adversity. Tested faith brings experience. You would never have believed your own weakness had you not needed to pass through trials. And you would never have known God’s strength had His strength not been needed to carry you through.

-Charles H. Spurgeon

May you find comfort in Jesus, strength in your King, salvation in your God, and wisdom through the Holy Spirit. Stand firm in Him.