Our Strength Will Fail, But We Are Upheld By the Lord
I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:9b-10
What strength sustains you as you serve the Lord? It is not your wit or wisdom. What power upholds you? It is not your charm or influence. Some people must be reminded that merit in the Christian life does not belong to them, it belongs to Christ. Some arrogant souls believe they walk in the power of their strength, sustained by their own hand. But God says no! It is by his strength, by his hand that we walk.
For the rest of us, however, these words deliver sweet comfort. We know we cannot survive if we must abide by our own strength. We sometimes fear no strength is available to us, feeling we must make it on our own but knowing we cannot. But God says, Fear not, for I am with you! Be not dismayed, for I am your God! I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
We must serve the Lord each day. Each day that we try to serve him we learn that we cannot do so with the strength of our hand. But God has promised his strength, his right hand to see us through the day. Do not be overwhelmed by the challenges of the day but lean instead on his rich grace. Serve him with all your heart, knowing he has chosen you and will never cast you off and will sustain you as you walk with him.
