Be Strong in the Lord

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)

I have been striving to be strong, and to recognize where my strength comes from. I am by no means a weightlifter or bodybuilder, but my arms and legs have ample strength in them. But that strength is not inherent, and it fades with a lack of discipline and exercise. For that strength to be built, we must push our muscles to their limits so they can be torn down and rebuilt stronger. Our physical strength comes from facing an obstacle—a weight—that must be overcome or lifted, and then pushing the muscles to a breaking point. Strength comes from facing resistance. If we are to be strong in the Lord, then we must rethink the formula. Our physical strength comes from what we do. The Lord is a Spirit, so muscles are not what become torn and remade stronger. The first imperative here is to be strong in the Lord—not in your biceps, but in the Spirit. This strength comes not from doing, but from being. For the body to be strong, one cannot simply walk into a gym and become strong. If that were the case, I would stand in the lobby of a gym every day for about five minutes. But our spiritual strength comes from abiding in the Lord. There is a strength within us that is built up, but that strength only comes from the source, which is the Lord's strength.

The second part of the imperative is to be strong in the strength of His might. It is as though this verse is calling us to look at two different forms of strength: defense and offense. So when we are strong in the Lord, we take up a defensive position within His refuge. When we are strong in the strength of His might, we are backed by the armory of heaven, ready to take an offensive position in the battle. His might is without rival. It is taking a nuclear missile to a knife fight. What greater strength can we bring into battle against our foes than the might of the Lord!

Non Nobis Nati