Strength, spiritual

In contrast to human strength, God is the source and supplier of all spiritual strength through which believers can do all that God asks.

God is the source of spiritual strength

God gives strength

Ephesians 6:10 See also Judges 16:3, Judges 16:6, Judges 16:18–20; Psalm 68:35; Isaiah 40:29–31; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 3:20; 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17; 1 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:7

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Strength comes from the promise of his presence

Joshua 1:9 See also Deuteronomy 31:7–8; Psalm 119:28; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 1:8; Haggai 2:4; 2 Timothy 4:17

Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Strength comes from the realisation of his grace

2 Timothy 2:1 See also Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Hebrews 13:9

You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Strength comes through the Holy Spirit

Zechariah 4:6–7 See also Judges 14:6; Luke 4:14; Ephesians 3:7, Ephesians 3:16

So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

Overcoming strength is often veiled in weakness

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 See also Psalm 8:2; Acts 14:19–20; 2 Corinthians 4:8–12; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 11:32–38

or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Aspects of spiritual strength

Profound dependence upon God

1 Samuel 17:45 See also Psalm 27:1, Psalm 44:4–8, Psalm 118:6; Isaiah 40:29–31; Daniel 3:16–18; Matthew 26:42; 1 Corinthians 1:31; Galatians 6:14; Hebrews 13:6

But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

Humility and gentleness

Matthew 11:29 See also Numbers 12:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:6–8, 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.