Your Inner Strength to Obey God

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Physical strength! We all know what it is. You can just look at someone that’s physically strong and see it on them. Inner strength isn’t as noticeable as physical strength. It lies underneath the surface if it’s there at all. Inner strength is that strength of spirit to calmly manage and do what one knows they should do in a difficult situation. It is a strength that comes through grace (undeserved, supernatural help) from God. It is formed only with great effort within our character over time.

Ephesians 3:16 (NLT) says, “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.” Nothing creates greater inner strength than a revelation of the Holy Spirit empowering you from within! Do you have that revelation? Do you have faith that God will help you prevail by His grace, in difficult times?

You need inward strength! Especially when God is instructing you to do something that is good while fear or temptation is leading your flesh to respond wrongly. When you remember that you have this grace of inner strength and you act by faith accordingly, oh the joy it brings to your heart as you see it manifest in your life! Psalm 1:1-2. NLT “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about His precepts.”

If you want to crush a temptation or lust like a sledgehammer crushing a nut, remember this: when temptation comes, instead of thinking about it, instead switch over and think about delighting yourself walking in the ways that please God. Imagine doing exactly what you know would please God, and doing it with great delight! Take gossip for example. Proverbs 16:28 NLT says, “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.” The Apostle Paul frowns on gossip and this kind of behavior saying, “For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.” 2 Corinthians 12:20 (NLT)

In reading these verses, we can easily grasp that gossiping about others is not good. But, it comes so easy at times when everyone is doing it. What will help you find the inner strength to take a different road? Delighting yourself in God’s instruction will! Meditate on it. Lean on the Lord and draw strength, and then do what 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT says, “So encourage and edify each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

When you know what God wants, and you delight yourself in thoughts about doing what God wants out of your love for Him, it immediately takes you to another place in your heart. Strength instantly comes and temptations evaporate. You aren’t sitting on the fence saying, Should I or shouldn’t I? No, you are thinking about your love for God and thinking about how much you love to do things His way! You meditate on His ways and delighting your in doing things His way!

In doing this, you will find supernatural inner strength for restraint and moderation. It will come by the grace of God and through the channel of delighting yourself in the Lord and His precepts. So, do it! Spend more time meditating on what God wants you to do. Know that joy and blessing follow obedience. Think about it. You’ll have avoided something bad, instead responding according to His Word, you’ll feel great that you did the right thing, and your godly character will take greater shape! And over time, blessings will manifest in your life in a greater and greater way! How awesome is all that! So, know that the inner strength from God to do this is within you! Lean on it!

Psalm 1:2 “But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about His precepts.”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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