The Lord showed me this uplifting passage when I was going through a difficult time in my life, and I was beginning to feel worn out and weary. There are some powerful truths contained in these verses that we can't afford to miss if we intend to walk in the victory and power that belong to us in Christ. The Lord is telling us here that when we find our strength in Him, the difficult places we have to travel through in life will become places of blessing and refreshment. If we fail to depend on God as our source of strength, we will grow weak and weary. But if we lay hold of the strength that the Lord offers us, we will "grow constantly in strength." How can we appropriate this divine strength?

First, we need to pray for strength whenever we feel the need for strength. David wrote: "When I pray, You answer me; You encourage me by giving me the strength I need." (Psalm 138:3 NLT) There is no greater encouragement than having Almighty God infuse you with His incomparable strength, just when you need it most. You could be in a very tight spot, not knowing where to turn or what to do. Then you call upon the Lord, asking for His strength, and before you know it, you are filled with confidence and hope. The apostle Paul wrote: "Be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]." (Ephesians 6:10 AMP) We can draw on God's strength by reminding ourselves that the divine "Strengthener" - the Holy Spirit - lives inside of us, and He's available to strengthen us every moment of every day. (John 14:16 AMP)

Another way we can appropriate God's strength is to spend time in His presence, seeking His face, and developing a deeper relationship with Him. Scripture says: "Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually." (Psalm 105:4 NASB) If we want to live the abundant, victorious life that Jesus died to give us, then we are going to have to spend concentrated time seeking Him on a daily basis. How do you get to really know someone? You spend time with them, of course. You communicate with each other, and you share yourselves with each other. Our relationship with God is no different. Getting to know God takes time and effort, but it is most definitely worth it. The Bible says: "The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits." (Daniel 11:32 NKJV) Do you want to make a difference for God while you are on this earth? Then you are going to have to cultivate an intimate relationship with Him. When you do, He will bless you and use you in ways you never imagined, and you will impact the lives of countless people for all eternity.

Lastly, we can acquire God's strength by spending time in His Word - reading it, studying it, meditating upon it, and applying it to our lives and circumstances. By exercising these biblical principles, we literally fill ourselves with God's Word. And a Word-filled believer is a powerful believer. The apostle John wrote: "You are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one." (1 John 2:14 AMP) As soldiers of Christ, we are in a constant battle with Satan and the forces of evil. The Lord never meant for us to be weak and weary warriors; He re-created us in Christ to be overcomers. And we can find boundless strength from devoting ourselves to God's Word. Scripture says: "Never forget Your promises to me, Your servant, for they are my only hope. They give me strength in all my troubles; how they refresh and revive me!" (Psalm 119:49-50 TLB) The Bible is filled with thousands of supernatural promises that have the power to strengthen us in hard, and seemingly hopeless, times. If we will claim them in faith, we will receive all the help of heaven in every situation we face.

No matter what difficult places you may be walking through today, the Lord wants to transform them into places of blessing and refreshment. Call upon Him now, and let Him fill you with the strength that only He can give!

Prayer: Lord, when I am faced with adversity, and I am tempted to despair, don't let me fail to call on You for strength. Fill me with a growing passion for Your presence and Your Word, and help me to spend unhurried and undistracted time alone with You each day. Thank You that as I cooperate with Your plans and purposes for my life, I will grow constantly in strength, and become the overcomer You created me to be!