Give your strength to your servant
Psalm 86:16b
Not only can we count on God to provide us with guidance as we handle our daily affairs, we can also count on him to give us the added strength of mind and conviction we need during difficulties.
A young lad was trying to pick up a bulky bag of lawn fertilizer. His father knew the boy had the strength to carry the sack—if he could ever get it off the ground, the father offered to help him but the boy insisted that he pick it up. He tugged and pulled but could never get enough heft to get it up high enough to carry. Finally, exhausted by his efforts the boy ask his dad to help him pick up the bag. Together they easily lifted the sack high enough for the boy to get his arms around it. The father then watched as his son proudly carried the sack down the driveway.
Now, often when we think of strength, we think only of physical strength, such as is found in this little illustration. But I am convinced that the strength the Psalmist talks about is much more than that. I believe he is also referring to a mental strength in the face of adversity. An inner strength that provides us with the persistence we need to keep on in the face of difficulties. A strength that comes from fresh insights and new ideas—these clarify situations and open our mind to opportunities thus reinvigorating us to new goals. The strength of unshakeable faith that God will never fail us or forsake us.
As we become aware of these forms of strength at work in us, let us never forget that it is not our strength, but God’s strength surging through us, empowering us and helping us pick up what ever our sack of fertilizer and carry it with success. Give your strength to your servant
Not only can we count on God to provide us with guidance as we handle our daily affairs, we can also count on him to give us the added strength of mind and conviction we need during difficulties.
A young lad was trying to pick up a bulky bag of lawn fertilizer. His father knew the boy had the strength to carry the sack—if he could ever get it off the ground, the father offered to help him but the boy insisted that he pick it up. He tugged and pulled but could never get enough heft to get it up high enough to carry. Finally, exhausted by his efforts the boy ask his dad to help him pick up the bag. Together they easily lifted the sack high enough for the boy to get his arms around it. The father then watched as his son proudly carried the sack down the driveway.
Now, often when we think of strength, we think only of physical strength, such as is found in this little illustration. But I am convinced that the strength the Psalmist talks about is much more than that. I believe he is also referring to a mental strength in the face of adversity. An inner strength that provides us with the persistence we need to keep on in the face of difficulties. A strength that comes from fresh insights and new ideas—these clarify situations and open our mind to opportunities thus reinvigorating us to new goals. The strength of unshakeable faith that God will never fail us or forsake us.
As we become aware of these forms of strength at work in us, let us never forget that it is not our strength, but God’s strength surging through us, empowering us and helping us pick up what ever our sack of fertilizer and carry it with success. Give your strength to your servant
Robert Hidde
