A Magnolia's Heart Beats

WFW - Strength in the Lord

Armed with Strength

God is so faithful to arm us with strength to make our way perfect. It certainly isn't something we can do on our own. Oh, we can try, but we would fail or surely miss out on the blessing He has for us.

Look at the Hebrew word for arms. 'Azar is a verb which means:

1) gird, encompass, equip, clothe
a) (Qal) to gird, gird on (metaphorical of strength)
b) (Niphal) be girded
c) (Piel) hold close, clasp
d) (Hiphpael) gird oneself (for war)

Oh, be still my heart! Does this not just make you want to sing praises to God? He holds us close and encompasses us, surrounding us with His strength!

Struggling for Strength

The Hebrew word for strength is chayil. It means:

1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army
a) strength
b) ability, efficiency
c) wealth
d) force, army

The strength, might, efficiency, wealth, and force comes from Him. It's not often easy gain that strength. In fact, I would say it's a process based on a study of the root word for strength. The root word for chayil is chuwl. It's a verb that means:

1) to twist, whirl, dance, writhe, fear, tremble, travail, be in anguish, be pained
a) (Qal)
1) to dance
2) to twist, writhe
3) to whirl, whirl about
b) (Polel)
1) to dance
2) to writhe (in travail with), bear, bring forth
3) to wait anxiously
c) (Pulal)
1) to be made to writhe, be made to bear
2) to be brought forth
d) (Hophal) to be born
e) (Hithpolel)
1) whirling (participle)
2) writhing, suffering torture (participle)
3) to wait longingly
f) (Hithpalpel) to be distressed

Completion

Once we have waited longingly and often suffered in distress, we are brought forth by God into the way He has prepared for us. Perfection. Does this mean all that we do is going to be perfect? Actually the Hebrew word for perfect is tamiym, which means:

1) complete, whole, entire, sound
a) complete, whole, entire
b) whole, sound, healthful
c) complete, entire (of time)
d) sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
e) what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact (neuter adj/subst)

We are complete and whole and are entirely in accord with God. What promise that brings to me. After I have realized that God has armed me with His strength, I realize that that the way before me has been made clear to walk in soundness, wholesomness, innocence and integrity.

Standing On the Heights

Our God enables us to stand strong like the feet of the deer on the heights. Because of the jagged places in the mountains and crags, the deer's feet had to be especially strong and sure-footed. Look at the Hebrew word and definition for strong here.

The Hebrew word for stand is `amad. It means:

1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand
a) (Qal)
1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of
2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease
3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast
4) to make a stand, hold one's ground
5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright
6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against
7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid
b) (Hiphil)
1) to station, set
2) to cause to stand firm, maintain
3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect
4) to present (one) before (king)
5) to appoint, ordain, establish
c) (Hophal) to be presented, be caused to stand, be stood before

He sustains us with strength, might, efficiency, wealth in Him, and the force of an army to stand in this crazy world we live in and in Him. Like the deer standing on the heights, we are stationed, set and caused to stand firm by God. He enables us to remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, and be steadfast. How faithful is our God!

Wrap-Up

Let's purpose to recognize that our strength comes from Him who enables us and not we ourselves.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." ~ Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

Questions for Reflection: What are some ways you have seen God arm you with strength and prepare you way for perfection? Are you still standing strong, as a deer on the heights, or do you need to climb back up the hill and rely on God again?

Verse of the Day: "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." ~ Psalm 18:32 (NIV)

Prayer: Father, thank You for arming us with Your strength instead of leaving us to struggle in this world all by ourselves. Help us to look to You as the source of our strength and stand strong on the heights You have prepared for us. Help us to be complete and whole in You, and to bring glory and honor and praise to You as we share Your word with others. Thank You so much for Jesus, because without Him we know that we would have no access to You. In His Name I pray. Amen.

S - Seek Him always as your strength. "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." ~ 1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)

T - Trust in Him for your strength. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." ~ John 14:1 (NIV)

R - Read His Word to strengthen you. "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." ~ Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

E - Expect to be able to act on strength in Him. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." ~ Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

N - Never doubt Him as your source of strength through faith. "Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done." ~ Matthew 21:21 (NIV)

G - Give your whole heart to Him to receive strength from Him. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." ~ Mark 12:30 (NIV)

T - Thank the Lord in advance for His strength. "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." ~ Psalm 28:7 (NIV)

H - Have courage in Him as you stand by His strength. "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong." ~ 1 Corinthians 6:13 (NIV)

The purpose of Word Filled Wednesday is to share the Word of God through photo's and Scripture. Amydeanne, over at The 160 Acre Woods, is our hostess. Be sure to link up and share your own, and drop her a thank you for hosting this wonderful meme each week. It always blesses my heart to read all the posts and see the photos and verses. This is a wonderful way to minister to others and to be ministered to by reading others posts. Please visit by clicking on the button below.