Strength #7 — Obedient Strength

Your own eyes have seen all the great work the Eternal did. Therefore keep every commandment which I am commanding you today, so that you may be strong and go in and possess the land into which you are about to cross. Deuteronomy 11:7–8

The old proverb says, “If you lift the calf every day, you will be able to lift the bull.” And the writer of Hebrews said, “Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” The consequence of habitual physical effort is muscular strength; the consequence of habitual godliness is strength to do God’s will in the pursuit of God’s design. The Lord delivered Israel from Egypt in order to make them his people, to bless them that they might be a blessing to the world. The Lord delivered us from Satan’s domain to the kingdom of his Son, so we might be part of the same strategy. Convinced of his good intention, and confident in his power to do us good, obeying his commands will keep us in a position to continue to benefit from all that he has for us. And because his commands are wise, obedience will enable us to overcome whatever obstacles we encounter in our efforts to secure his promises. Practice makes permanent — in more ways than one.

Divine Deliverer, thank you for the truth about life that lets me hope for success in my struggles. Please reinforce the habits of faith, so I might grow stronger in my relationship with you and enjoy the fruit of our fellowship. Amen.