Inward Strength

My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck, write them upon the table of thine heart; So shall thou find favour and good under- standing in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Proverbs 3:1-8

All too often, when trouble or disappointment surfaces, there is a tendency to look to others for help. The thought process is “if I could just sit down and talk with someone I would be alright”. Surely, there is nothing wrong with seeking the help of others to ventilate or release. Sadly, a dependency is built on others and that “someone” may not be available.

What do you do when you can’t reach out and “touch someone”? It is at this critical time of loneliness and isolation that strength must be derived from within to face the adversity and move on.

Strength is a spiritual characteristic that must be developed by each individual from within. It is directly related to how we receive and apply the Word of God. During the time of discouragement and trial, God’s Word must be remembered and acted upon (Proverbs 3:1). Faith (response and action) in God’s Word releases the power and authority of God in the situation. Leaning and depending on God places trust in Him with an expectation of divine direction (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Two metaphors are given in scripture to crystallize the thought of inward strength. First, wisdom that comes from God’s Word “shall be health to thy navel”. As the body receives nourishment and strength through the navel, so does the spiritual body receive the same from within. The navel, naturally or spiritually, is the center of strength. Lastly, bone marrow is a soft fatty tissue to keep the bones strong and healthy. Likewise, the spirit man needs moisture and refreshment directly from God to remain alive and well (Proverbs 3:8).

God continually sends His Word to heal and keep the spirit man strong (Psalm 107:20). The saints of God can be independent, relying totally on God through any crisis of life. God’s answer to Paul places the thought of inward strength in perspective; “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness”. Listen to Paul’s inward strength speaking out; “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9,10).