True Strength: Following God's Commandments
What does it take to be strong? If you do a Google search, you will find hundreds of articles that talk about strength training. We often think about strength training when we think of collegiate and professional athletes, but most of us have figured out that as we get older if we don’t do some resistance training, then our muscles just get weaker and atrophy. Getting stronger requires both mental and physical effort.
When David was near death, he commanded his son Solomon to “be strong.” David knew that being a king required strength. Unlike his father, the scriptures never indicate that Solomon fought any battles. During his reign there was a long season of peace. In fact, his name means “peaceful one,” and David’s instructions gave guidance for how one could both be strong and experience peace.
There is a lot of buzz in culture of what it means to be a man. Usually, the definitions and images suggest physical strength, independence, and bravery as indicators of one who can “man up” and get the job done. But in reading 1 Kings 2:1-4, I think we see that David’s instructions to be strong and show yourself to be a man were more than just encouragements to be physically strong.
After David told his son to be strong and show yourself to be a man, he continued with these words:
“Keep the charge of the Lord your God,
Walking in his ways,
Keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies.”
It seems that, according to David and the numerous other passages in scripture that indicate we are to be strong and courageous, these instructions relate to our willingness to stand firm in the ways of the Lord, even and especially in difficult situations. The apostle Paul echoes these very thoughts at the end of 1 Corinthians when he says:
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
One thing for us to consider is that every man and woman is created in God’s image, so when we act like men, we are to act like and reflect who God is and not simply what our cultural definitions suggest. Right after Paul wrote the phrase I mentioned above, he added, “Let all you do be done in love.” It takes courage and strength to stand boldly in the ways of God and love like God loves. Current culture tends to separate toughness and love.
David told Solomon the benefits that come from being strong and showing oneself to be a man: “That you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke.” David was repeating what God had told him involving the establishment of his throne, but I think it is reasonable for us to apply this to our situations as sons and daughters of King Jesus. When we are strong and courageous according to God’s word and his kingdom ethics, we will experience the grace of God which demonstrates what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Go ahead and do some resistance training today to improve your physical strength. But then make sure that you ask God to fill you with his Holy Spirit so that even in your weakness the strength of God will be visible to others.
Father, we are amazed that you have made us your image bearers. Forgive us when we try to bear the image of our culture instead of your image. We confess our weaknesses to you so that you will show yourself strong in and through us today. Be glorified today as we strengthen ourselves in your word and by your presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
1 Kings 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV
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