Friday, January 07, 2011

“My God Has Become My Strength” - Jan 7

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I bow low in awe of Your majesty and draw near in wonder of Your intimacy. …

“My God has become my strength” (from Isaiah 49:5).

My God … has become … my strength. As Your Spirit leads me to read through this passage of Scripture this morning, my thoughts can’t move beyond these words. My God … has become … my strength.

In the eyes of the world, this would be a declaration of weakness, dependence, vulnerability, servitude. And so it is. But it’s a willing declaration made from whom one who’s come to believe You are the One who is worthy to be the center of his life. It’s a complete dedication of heart, mind, soul, and strength to the One who knows best and always has his best interest at heart. And it’s a deliberate decision to trust in You instead of himself or anyone else or anything else to be Lord of his life.

The prophet Isaiah’s words describe a heart of deep humility—the deliberate decision to be desperately dependent upon God. He’s discovered that humility is greatest key of the Kingdom of God. Nothing draws the grace of God, opens up the heavens of God, and embraces the favor of God like the heart of humility before God. “But He gives all the more grace; therefore, it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble’ ” (James 4:6). You taught the Apostle Paul this same powerful spiritual principle: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me… for whenever I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

“My God … has become … my strength.” Isaiah’s words are personal—“My God.” His words acknowledge the journey of faith in the unfolding process of time and steady transformation from deepening trust—“has become.” And his words speak of the steadfast, confident assurance that he has resolved to live his life in the power of Your Spirit rather than dependence upon his flesh—“my strength.”

O Lord, my God. You are my God, just as You are Isaiah’s and Paul’s. You’re the God of every prophet and apostle, every disciple and servant, every son and daughter. The truth is You are the God of us all, whether we acknowledge You or not. But it is our choice to choose whether You will become our strength, whether we will deliberately choose to be desperately dependent upon You in humility and faith. So by whatever measure of humility and grace You’ve given me, I make my choice and my declaration with these spiritual models of men of faith who have gone before me—“My God has become my strength.” In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays


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