|
|
|
|
Deutsche Version | Wiki Start | Topics Collection ix
My Strength and the Lord ...
Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Do you feel strong with what you do? Are you in a position of power? Are you able to do things due to your physical strength, or your intelligence, or your special talents, or due to your money and resources? What is it that enables you to do what you want to do or what you are asked to do?
Strength …
What is my strength? Where does it come from? How stable is it? Often, we have some strength and there are times in our life where we can execute power. Everyone is in such a position at some point. But we also learn quickly that we are not always strong and that these positions of power regularly change! We might be in a position of power now, but in some days, some month or some years it might be gone completely!
Let us discuss the role of power and strength and what it means to us. Let us discuss the security which is can give us, but also how fragile power can be. In Psalm 28, we hear about power and strength - the danger we face in this world due to the fact that there are many people, and too many of them do not care about others but search their own advantage recklessly. The psalmist says:
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. 8 The Lord is the strength of his people;2 he is the saving refuge of his anointed. 9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever. (from Psalm 28)
The Lord as my Strength …
The psalm writer calls the Lord his strength. It is not his own strength which counts. It is not his own ability or talent or money or physical setup which would protect him. In the company of wicked people, all this will not help. In this world, we are always in danger - that is a truth which has not changed ever since!
Here, the psalm speaks about “the anointed” of the Lord. It is David, but it is also Jesus himself, the son of God. The psalm is prophetic - as so many of the psalms and Old Testament texts. And Jesus found refuge in the Lord, when he was nailed to the cross. He found salvation himself, and received his life back after his death. Here, the ultimate salvation for the people of the Lord is achieved. Here, the good shepherd is reaching his goal: justice for all, for all who believe in him!
The Lord is my strength - this sentence shows a deep insight into the nature of this world. It shows experience and wisdom. It shows phrophetic insight, which can only come from faith and through faith. It is an invitation to you and to me, to come and see. It is an invitation to find strength in him, to live with faith in him, to trust our heart into his hands - and find the joy which comes with the Holy Spirit. He is my strength, today and tomorrow … how great you are, Lord! (Roland Potthast) ... more texts