EPISODE 605 – STRENGTHEN YOURSELF IN THE LORD 2
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Apostle Benjamin Nana Amissah Ansah
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STRENGTHEN YOURSELF IN THE LORD 2
“And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”
1 Samuel 30:6 (English Standard Version)
Dear Machaira avid reader, I appreciate your consistency in following and fellowshipping with this Christ-centered online devotional.
The messages shared here (on Machaira with Apostle Bennie) are to help you know the application of the word of God in your daily life. You don’t just get to know what to do, but you are also taught how to do what to do.
It is important for every believer to know and understand the word of God. Your understanding of the word of God helps you live victoriously.
The topic I was teaching in yesterday’s episode, STRENGTHEN YOURSELF IN THE LORD, has practical details that help you know how to live above distress and challenges.
You have to take this teaching to heart and commit everything shared to action. You wouldn’t see its potency until you begin to act out the word.
To strengthen yourself in the Lord is not burdensome nor is it legalistic.
To strengthen yourself in the Lord is to take advantage of the resources of the Lord to mount up high above the challenge confronting you.
It is turning to the Lord and not turning to oneself. In David’s situation, he was already in distress but decided to strengthen himself in the LORD.
The scripture says, “For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD [in prayer] WILL BE SAVED.” Romans 10:13 (Amplified Bible).
It is not only those who are yet to be defeated or yet to fall deeply into depression that the Lord saves. It is whosoever or everyone who calls upon the Lord.
It doesn’t matter your situation, when you call upon the Lord, you shall be saved.
David was already in distress, yet he made a decision to strengthen Himself in the Lord.
Now let me put it right:
David was GREATLY DISTRESSED.
That’s what the scriptures say. David wasn’t just distressed. Which means he was utterly shattered.
“David was in even worse trouble” (Message Translation).
In fact, David and his men burst out in loud wails—wept and wept until they were exhausted with weeping.
“David was greatly distressed…” (AMPC).
“David was in desperation” (CEV)
‘David wasn’t in shallow situation, he “was in deep trouble” (Common English Bible).
“David too was in anguish” (VOICE)
“David was seriously worried, for in their bitter grief for their children, his men began talking of killing him. But David took strength from the Lord.” (TLB)
Just in case you find yourself in a worse situation you can still trust the Lord. You can draw strength from the Lord. Don’t assume there is no faith in you or you are faithless because you wept or felt distressed.
Not all men have faith, but all those in Christ have faith. There is the faith of God in you. By that faith no matter how small you think it is, you can take hold of God’s hand. All that God is looking for is for you to stretch forth your hand for His help.
As Peter noticed he was drowning or sinking, he shouted master save me.
Beloved there is help for you. Strengthen yourself in the Lord.
The word STRENGTHEN as used in 1 Samuel 30:6, is from the Hebrew word “CHÂZAQ” (Pronounced as khaw-zak’)
The primitive root of this Hebrew word means, “to fasten upon; to bind or restrain”. It also means to “cleave, catch or lay hold or take hold and also to seize”.
Which means to strengthen yourself in the Lord is to bind or fasten yourself to the Lord. Don’t allow the flood of your challenge to drown you. Fasten yourself to the Lord who is the solid Rock.
No matter the storm, take hold of the Lord.
The word “châzaq”, to be strengthened in Hebrew also means, “to cure, to repair, to amend or mend”. This implies that, sometimes the challenge may break you, but when you turn to the Lord, you can repair all the broken pieces.
To châzaq also means to have a calker.
To be strengthened by the Lord is like a ship which has skilled shipwrights or calkers, who repair or stop the seams of a deck.
In the ancient Gebal or Byblos (a city in Phoenicia, located in what is now modern-day Lebanon) they had shipwrights or master shipbuilders, who when employed on a ship, serve as calkers. They are furnished mariners who skilfully service all the various furniture in a vessel. (Ezekiel 27:9). They repair and help damaged ships to sail successfully.
These ancients of Gebal are also called “stoppers of chinks” or “strengtheners”.
Which means the strength of the Lord, serves as a shipwright. It stops all chinks or repairs every form of damage.
To strengthen yourself in the Lord also means to be strong in the Lord, taking advantage of all the mighty power of God. It is to amass the military might of God to your favor.
That was what David did.
He was in distress because of the attack by the Amalekites, and he reminded himself that He has God.
There is this courage and valiant posture you take on when you know what it means to have help from the Lord.
David paused and would have thought to himself:
“Why am I in tears? Is the God who helped me defeat Goliath, not my God any more? Why am I dismayed?”
David thought of what the torrent flow of God’s power can do.
He was encouraged. It was these moments that inspired David to sing Psalm 18:1-50.
When you fasten yourself to the Lord you become courageous and fortified.
That is what châzaq also means. To be strengthened in the Lord is to wax mightily, to be programmed to conquer, and to have a restraining force for victory.
No matter the pressure you remain firm or obstinate in the Lord. You become too hard to break and maintain an undisturbed composure.
Beloved, strengthen or fortify yourself in the Lord.
Selah!
1. that every damage or leakage caused by the pressures of life within your emotions and mind will be mended by the strengthening ability of the Lord.
2. calling upon the Lord for His mighty help even as you feel distressed.
Thank you Lord.
He that is in me is greater than any challenge in this world
Glory to God
The Lord is my strength therefore I cannot be broken.
Oh Glory to God
Hahahaha…. oh Glory to God
Gloreeeey
Oh I have help..
I have strength..
The Lord is my strength
Hahaha ….oudh
Hallelujah
Praise the Lord!!
Glory be to God
Thank you father
Oh thank you Father
The Lord is my Shipwright
Thank you Father
Oh Thank you Lord for your suppy of strength
Hallelujah
I am fastened to the Solid Rock.
I am strengthened and secured in the Father’s hand
Oh Glory to God
Thank you Lord Jesus
I strengthen myself in God for his name is a strong tower the righteous run to it and they are saved. Until you hold unto the Lord you cannot be saved
Wow…Glory to God
I don’t stay overwhelmed by challenges I turn to the lord for strength
Oh Thank you Lord Jesus
He that runs to the lord Will not be put to shame
Goodness,I cannot be put to shame. It’s just not possible
I take advantage of the resources of the Lord to mount up high above the challenge confronting me.
Oh Glory to God
It doesn’t matter the situation when I call upon the name of the Lord I shall be saved
Kaish…It doesn’t matter the situation… there’s strength in God for me. All I need to do is to fasten unto him to receive.
No matter the pressure I remain firm or obstinate in the Lord.
Heyaaaa !!
To strengthen yourself is turning to the Lord and not turning one’s self.
Oh Thank you Jesus
To strengthen yourself is turning to the Lord and not turning one’s self.
Just because you saw strengthen YOURSELF doesn’t mean turn to self but it means to turn to your true self who is CHRIST to draw strength.
Thank you Sweet Jesus
Kaish… I turn to my true self
Yes I am glad my heart is Calm
Lord, You are my Peace
Oh Glory to God!!
I am fasten to the Rock which cannot be moved
You are My Strength
Oh the Lord is my strength!
By the faith in me , I take hold of God’s hand
Oh Glory to God!!
I fortify myself in the Lord
Gloreeeey
I don’t lose strength
Oh Glory to God
The Lord provides strength to me as I turn towards Him in prayer
I am strengthened in the Lord and cannot be shaken
Oh nothing moves me !
I choose to call upon the name of the Lord in times of trouble
Oh Glory to God
I hold fast unto the Lord in all circumstances
Oh the Lord is my shipwright,mendining all the brokenness and clothing me with beauty. Oh Iam strengthened
Glory to God
I choose the strength of God in my desperation
Oh Glory to God!
The strength of the Lord is made fully available to me as I call upon His name
Oh Glory to God
The Lord is my 911
He is my call to security when the turmoils of life break lose and oh my,what a safe haven He is.
I am strengthened in and only in the Lord
Glory to God
In times of adversity,all I need to do is to turn to the Lord…wow
Indeed,I am strengthened in the Lord
Glory to God
My only place of refuge is in the Lord
Oh Glory to God
Oh the Lord is the peace in the midst of the storm
Glory to God
Oh! so great is my strength in the Lord so in times of trouble I soar higher,I just can’t faint
My peace in the calm is the same as my peace in the storm. In fact I experience a deeper sense of peace in the storm as I turn towards the Lord
Oh! Glory to God!!
No matter the storm I take hold of the word
My inner man is strengthened in the Lord
Kaiish.. I draw strength from the Lord
I don’t loose strength
He that lives in me is greater than he that lives in the world
I am strengthened and fortified by the Lord
Thank you Lord Jesus
I take advantage of the resources of the Lord to mount up high above the challenges confronting me.
No matter the storm, I take hold of the Lord.
I’m courageous and fortified.
I fortify myself in the Lord
I am strengthened by God in my inner man at all times.
Through the supply of the strength of God, I sail through every challenge victoriously.
No challenge or situation can dominate my life.
I don’t lose strength.
Greater is He that is in me, than any challenge that is in the world.
I have strength!