The source of our strength

The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews hails the testimony of those believers who were strengthened by their faithful prayer : "You have sustained a great struggle amidst suffering, on the one hand, exposed as a spectacle to shame and tribulation ... and you have accepted with joy the removal of your possessions" (Hebrews 10: 32-34).

Think about it : the people described here had lost their homes, their possessions, everything. And yet they could testify with their pastor, Paul : "In spite of all the trials that have crossed our path, the Lord stands with us. He comes every day to give us all the strength we need to defeat."

Beloved, have you ever reached this point ? I believe you can say : "Nevertheless, I know that Jesus will keep me in difficult times. And He will give me all that I need because He is the source of my strength."

Paul learned this secret of strength at the time of his conversion. After being blinded on the road to Damascus, he spent three days praying and fasting, determined to experience the true presence of this Lord who had revealed Himself to Him.

It was at this time that the Lord led a believer named Ananias to go to Paul : "For he prays" (Acts 9:11). The Scripture then says of Paul : "He strengthened himself more and more" (9:22).

We see this truth being illustrated in a parable that Jesus said about a man who sought bread at his friend's midnight. This man had no bread himself, but he knew that his friend had all the bread he needed. Then he kept knocking at the door until his friend finally got up, opened the door and gave him bread.

Beloved, this friend who has bread is Jesus. He is closer than a brother and He will give us everything we need. Not only food, clothing and cover (see Matthew 6), but also encouragement, strength and peace.

David Wilkerson