DOUBLE STRENGTH

Colossians 1:9-14

I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you.

When faced with adversity and temptation, wise Christians acknowledge two facts: their own weakness and God’s power to keep them from falling. If we dwell on our inadequacy, we can’t cope with the future. But if we draw our strength from a source other than ourselves, we’ll be able to resist the Satan’s opposition and the world’s pressure. On my desk is a closed penknife, rounded and smooth on both ends. When I try to stand it on end, it topples over. If I say how difficult it is to get the knife to stand, you might say, "No, it’s impossible! Stop wasting your time." "But look, the penknife is standing!" I reply. "Sure," you say, "but you are holding it."

This illustrates God’s outer support. He strengthens us through the help of others. But we also need inner strength—the upholding power of the Holy Spirit. Recently I watched a flour mill in operation. In a corner lay empty sacks. If I tried to make one stand by itself, it would crumple to the floor. But when the miller fills it with flour, it stands solid and unmoving. Likewise, the believer, filled with the indwelling Spirit, is able to stand. We are weak, but we are "kept by the power of God"—both from without and from within (1 Peter 1:5).

Though weak and helpless in life’s fray, God’s mighty power shall be my stay; without, within, He gives to me the strength to gain the victory.