At the start of a New Year we look to the question, ‘Where does our strength come from?’ This is a great question to ask at the start of a new year and a new term and I hope that it is something that inspires you to find sources of strength that will help and encourage you in 2022.
In Psalm 121 we read the words of King David who placed the source of his strength firmly on God.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Throughout David’s life, either in his battle with lions, bears, giants or being chased by his father-in-law, David maintained that God was his source. That did not result in him making every wise choice. Another area that David had to battle was the consequences of his poor choices and family strife.
Paul too found his strength in God. He realised that God worked when he was weak and vulnerable. When Paul couldn’t, God could. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 we read:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake,
I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Today, you may be feeling on top of the world. If you are, consider the hills, the heavens, and the creator. Spend time with God, accessing the help and strength that his presence brings. But if you are in a season of weakness or hardship, hear the encouragement of Paul that, even though times are tough, God can be your source of strength.
