Jan. 5
Charles Spurgeon · Faith's Checkbook
A WONDERFUL GUARANTEE
"I will strengthen thee." Isa. 41:10
When called to serve or to suffer, we take stock of our strength, and
we find it to be less than we thought, and less than we need. But let
not our heart sink within us while we have such a word as this to fall
back upon, for it guarantees us all that we can possibly need. God has
strength omnipotent; that strength He can communicate to us; and His
promise is that He will do so. He will be the food of our souls, and
the health of our hearts; and thus He will give us strength. There is
no telling how much power God can put into a man. When divine strength
comes, human weakness is no more a hindrance.
Do we not remember seasons of labor and trial in which we received such
special strength that we wondered at ourselves? In the midst of danger
we were calm, under bereavement we were resigned, in slander we were
self-contained, and in sickness we were patient. The fact is, that God
gives unexpected strength when unusual trials come upon us. We rise out
of our feeble selves. Cowards play the man, foolish ones have wisdom
given them, and the silent receive in the self-same hour what they
shall speak. My own weakness makes me shrink, but God's promise makes
me brave. Lord, strengthen me "according to thy word."