Strength in Dependence

This is exactly what Paul is getting at in 2 Tim 2.1: "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (KJV). "Be strong," says Paul, not in your own strength and effort, but "be strong in grace that is in Christ Jesus."

We cannot give ourself grace any more than we can give ourselves talents and abilities. Grace comes from the Lord Jesus. We are dependent upon him to provide it. If we do not have grace we cannot be strong in it. So our strength then, comes in dependence. This is just the way the Lord wants it. We depend upon him. He gives us strength. We get help. He gets glory.

Splendor, Majesty, Strength, and Joy

All four are characteristics of our God as David points out in 1 Chr 16.27. I especially like strength and joy juxtaposed together because we do not normally associate the two. Strong people are not normally marked with joy, and joyful people are not normally renowned for their strength. Our God is both.

Strength for the Journey

Revelation 21.3 is a precious promise and the hope of all believers. It gives us strength for the journey of life. There will come a day when we will dwell in the presence of God for all eternity. That promise gives us purpose in this life, and endurance in the ever present difficulties that come our way, patience in adversity, and confidence in the future. It's a promise that should fire our imagination and keep us from wasting our lives on trivialities. God is God and our God and the eternal God.