“Be strong!”  God said, “I am sending you.”  Moses’ response, “Who am I…what shall I say…suppose they will not listen…I am slow in speech…send someone else.” (cf. Exodus 3)

God said, “ You mighty man of valor!”   Gideon’s response, “my clan is the weakest…I am the least!” (cf. Judges 6)

Caleb at eighty-five years old, said, “I am strong…now therefore, give me this mountain!”

David, a little shepherd boy stood against Goliath.  Goliath looked at him with distain for he was only a youth and Goliath was a seasoned warrior!  David acknowledged “the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into my hands!” (cf. 1 Sam.)

The Apostle Paul, as he was sitting on death role, instructed/encouraged fearful Timothy to “be strong!” (cf. 2 Timothy 2)  Maybe I don’t feel strong.  Maybe I don’t measure up to the task.  Just maybe, I don’t want to be strong.  Maybe I’m tired of being strong!  That’s ok, because it is not your strength, but the strength available through grace in Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

You see, it not’s about you and me, it’s about being faithful to the gospel!

In the examples above, and all the examples in the Bible, the men and women that God used came to understand this.  The salvation available to all mankind was greater than themselves!  Greater than their feelings!  Greater than their emotions!  Greater than their hardships! 

 Is there not a cause church!?  In Paul’s letter to Timothy, and to you and me, he used the examples of the soldier, the athlete and the farmer to drive home the point of the need for the Christ follower to stay focused and to maintain a sense of purpose and obedience -  “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory”

Pastor Rodney