Online Devotions: Strength In God Alone

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Strength In God Alone

July 3 (Exodus 3:11-12; Judges 6:15-16)

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you….”

And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.” And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you….” (ESV)

Moses and Gideon both questioned their abilities to accomplish the tasks that God had set them. Welcome to the club, boys! If they had put these doubts to their friends, their friends would likely have responded by pointing out all the things they were good at. They would have talked about the college degrees that Moses and Gideon had, how long they had worked at their companies, and all the past awards and successes that lined the walls of their offices.

We do the same, and we even do it with ourselves. When I am daunted by something, my first thought is to rehearse my own resume for encouragement to face the task. Notice the difference in God’s response. He does not replay the greatest hits of Moses and Gideon. He does not even refute their claims to inferiority. Instead, He says, “I will be with you.”

No matter how well padded our resumes, no matter how much life experience and talents we possess, we will always feel inadequate to some task. That feeling may be a lie from our enemy to discourage us or it may the truth. We may truly not be up to the challenge. Either way, our strength to face it comes from none other than the Lord God of the universe. Let that sink in. God promises to be with us and He does not lie. Surely that is worth more than all the mental and emotional bootstrapping we do in the vain effort to help ourselves.

Father, thank You for the abilities You have given me. I am grateful for them and all that You have allowed me to experience in my life, both the good and the bad. Yet I set all that aside and claim my strength and identity in You. I am Your child. Jesus is my savior and brother. In You alone I have what it takes to face what You have called me to this day. In the name of Jesus, Who looked to You even on the cross, amen.

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History of Online Devotions

In January of 1999, I began the Online Devotions with the teens of the church we were attending. Each week they would receive a verse of Scripture, a short reflection, and a prayer. Over the years others subscribed to this email list, and soon the Online Devotions were going out to people across the country and beyond.

In 2007 I published in book format a collection called Desert Days: Forty Devotions for Men.

After suggestions from several readers, I launched in 2010 the Online Devotions blog. Devotions are still available each week by email, and if you would like to subscribe, please indicate so in the comment box.

As I have always said, if one of these devotions touches you, you can be sure it was from God. If one leaves you flat, then there was too much of me in it.