Strength

Posted on Jun 13, 2016 Topic : Weekly Devotionals

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:17 NKJV

The Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me.

Three things stand out in this passage. First, the Lord stood with Paul. I picture Jesus and Paul standing together strong and tall with their arms linked, ready for whatever is coming their way.

Second, the Lord strengthened him. The Lord didn’t do Paul’s work, but the Lord strengthened Paul to do the work. This is such an encouraging Scripture. Paul wrote half the books in the New Testament, performed many miracles for Jesus, and preached all over the known world, yet he still needed help. He needed Jesus to come alongside him, to stand with him, to strengthen him so that he could do what Jesus wanted him to do.

And third, why did Jesus stand with Paul and strengthen him? “So that the message might be preached fully through me,” Paul said.

Jesus will stand with you and strengthen you to accomplish the tasks he’s given you to do. Jesus won’t do the work for you, but he’ll empower you to do more than you could ever do on your own.

Make a mental list of the places you will be today. Picture Jesus walking alongside you.

What do you need God’s strength to do today?

Lord, thank you for standing with me, strengthening me, and empowering me to do more than I could possibly do on my own.

—Aaron Baddeley