God is strong

As most of our congregation know, I go to Charter Fitness six days a week.

I walk the treadmill for 40 minutes.  2 miles.

But there is a part of the gym that I dare not trod.  It is the section where the free weights are.

The guys (and gals) that are there - scare me to death.

Huge muscles.  Arms bigger than my thighs.

The floor to that area is cover with a black rubbery substance.  I joke with the guys lifting the weights that I don't dare to walk on it.

(BTW, the guys and gals working out on the weights are some of the nicest people I've ever met).

These people are strong.

Even the women working out in that area are stronger than me - and could beat me up.

Here's what I know:  while I am weak - my God is strong.

I need to focus in on that.  I need to realize that in the midst of my weakness, my God is strong - and that the more I focus on God's strength and power, the more I find I have the courage to do and to say the things that God wants me to.

Throughout the Bible, God is presented as strong.  Powerful.

Who wants to serve a timid God?  Who wants to serve a God that gets run over?

In our study in the book of Genesis, we saw that God created the heavens and the earth - and if he did that - and he did, that what can't he do?

Psalms 115:3 says it very succinctly:  "Our God is in the heavens.  He does all that he pleases."

God does whatever he wants, and when he wants to.

J. Vernon McGee once said, "This is God's universe, and God does things his way.  You may have a better way, but you don't have a universe."

That is perfect.

In other words, "When you get a universe, you do it your way.  But for now, this is God's universe.  And no one holds back his hand."

God is strong.

And because of his strength - I can be strong.  God tells Joshua, "Be strong and courageous.  be strong and courageous."  Over and over again, God says, "Be strong and courageous."

Strength and courage should be a part of our spiritual DNA.  It should typify us, characterize us, define us.

We should not be afraid.

Don't be afraid this day, my friends.  Your God is strong.  And He lives in you.

Just a thought for a Thursday.