Finding Strength in God's Good Purposes and Sovereignty
The concept of finding strength in God's good purposes and sovereignty is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize God's power and presence as a source of strength for believers. The biblical narrative frequently exhorts individuals to "be strong" in the face of challenges, often linking this strength to God's presence and power [1, 4].
In the Psalms, the psalmist expresses trust in God's strength, declaring, "The Lord is my strength" [10]. This theme is echoed in various biblical passages that attribute strength to God's character and actions. For instance, God's power is described as "great," "strong," "glorious," "mighty," and "everlasting" [5].
The idea that God's strength is a source of comfort and empowerment for believers is a common thread across different Christian traditions. According to John Gill, God's strength is not just a natural attribute but is also a spiritual reality that believers can experience [8]. In the context of persecution and hardship, the apostle Paul writes, "For when I am weak, then am I strong" [2], highlighting the paradox that spiritual strength is often found in weakness.
Theological interpretations of these biblical themes vary across traditions. For example, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, emphasizes the role of God's power in enabling believers to persevere and bear fruit [8]. Similarly, the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, stresses the importance of being "strong in the Lord" and having "strength of a spiritual kind" that comes from God [7].
The Jewish tradition also recognizes the importance of finding strength in God's presence. Abraham Ibn Ezra comments on Deuteronomy 31:6, noting that the command to "be strong and of good courage" is given in the context of knowing that God goes with the individual [9].
The biblical basis for finding strength in God's sovereignty is evident in passages that affirm God's control over all things. one tradition writes, "Your God has commanded your strength" [3], indicating that God's sovereignty is a source of strength for believers. This theme is also reflected in the concept of God's "favour," which is seen as a source of mercy, spiritual life, and preservation [6].
Sources
- II Samuel “II Samuel 10:12 (LEB) — Be strong, and let us strengthen ourselves for the sake of the people and for the sake of the cities of our God. May Yahweh do what is good in his eyes.”
- 2 Corinthians “Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. -- 2 Corinthians 12:10”
- Psalms “Your God has commanded your strength. Strengthen, God, that which you have done for us. -- Psalms 68:28”
- I Chronicles “I Chronicles 19:13 (LEB) — Be strong! Let us strengthen ourselves on behalf of our people and on behalf of the cities of our God. And may Yahweh do what is good in his eyes.””
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- Ps 62:11. Expressed by the Voice of God. -- Ps 29:3,5; 68:33. Finger of God. -- Ex 8:19; Ps 8:3. Hand of God. -- Ex 9:3,15; Isa 48:13. Arm of God. -- Job 40:9; Isa 52:10. Thunder of his power. -- Job 26:14. Described as Great. -- Ps 79:11; Na 1:3. Strong. -- Ps 89:13; 136:12. Glorious. -- Ex 15:6; Isa 63:12. Mighty. -- Job 9:4; Ps 89:13. Everlasting. -- Isa 26:4; Ro 1:20. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:21. Effectual. -- Isa 43:13; Eph 3:7. Irresistible. -- De 32:39; Da 4:35. Incomparable. -- Ex 15:11,12; De 3:24; Job 40:9; Ps 89:8.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Favour of God, The — Christ the special object of -- Lu 2:52. Is the source of Mercy. -- Isa 60:10. Spiritual life. -- Ps 30:5. Spiritual wisdom leads to -- Pr 8:35. Mercy and truth lead to -- Pr 3:3,4. Saints Obtain. -- Pr 12:2. Encompassed by. -- Ps 5:12. Strengthened by. -- Ps 30:7. Victorious through. -- Ps 44:3. Preserved through. -- Job 10:12. Exalted in. -- Ps 89:17. Sometimes tempted to doubt. -- Ps 77:7. Domestic blessings traced to -- Pr 18:22. Disappointment of enemies an assured evidence of -- Ps 41:11. Given in answer to prayer -- Job 33:26. Pray for -- ”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 6:10: Finally - Having laid before you, your great and high calling, and all the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel, it is necessary that I should show you the enemies that will oppose you, and the strength which is requisite to enable you to repel them. Be strong in the Lord - You must have strength, and strength of a spiritual kind, and such strength too as the Lord himself can furnish; and you must have this strength through an indwelling God, the power of his might working in you.”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:11: Strengthened with all might,.... This is still a continuation of the apostle's prayer for these believers; for having prayed for an increase of spiritual knowledge, and that this might be put into practice, he proceeds to pray for strength for them, that they might be enabled to practise what they had knowledge of; to walk worthily, to please God in all things, to bring forth fruit with patience, to persevere in knowledge, practice, fruitfulness, and in an increase thereof. It implies, that believers are weak in themselves, and insufficient to do or bear anything ”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 31:6: BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE. Now that you know that God goes with you wherever you go to battle.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 28:7: The Lord is my strength,.... That is, the author both of natural and spiritual strength; that gave him strength of body, and fortitude of mind, to bear up under all the exercises he was tried with; the strength of his life, spiritual and temporal, and of his salvation; the strength of his heart under present distresses, and who he knew would be so in the hour of death, when his heart and strength would fail; and my shield; to protect and defend him; as were the love, power, and faithfulness of God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, his power and fulness, his blood, righteo”