Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

DRAWING STRENGTH FROM THE RIGHT SOURCE

Christian people are at war, and it must never be forgotten, even in times of peace or despair. The war is not over, no truce has been signed, no surrender from the foe has been forthcoming. The war is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers; against spiritual wickedness in high places as the apostle Paul so aptly put it in Eph. 6:12. While the world offers no source of spiritual restoration, God does! Think about it!

David was a man oppressed in war. Abandoning the will of God momentarily, he sought refuge from Saul in the enemy camp. Then seeing his city in ashes, he repented and strengthened himself in the Lord. (Note 1 Sam. 30:6). The actions of David are exemplary for all; logical, and universally applicable in every century. First, there must be genuine repentance. This changes directions of life. Then reflection on the past blessings of God even in difficult circumstances. God is good! Additionally, who else has the power to change the meaning of life and the support system to guarantee it? How many times has God already shown Himself sufficient for David’s needs? Moreover, since David had faithfully written about his own experiences with the Lord, it must have been somewhat easier to realize these things. But isn’t that true for each of us who have known the Lord for an extended time?

Perhaps the cause of anxiety and despair lies in temptations that plagues the soul. The promise of God is “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I Cor. 10:13.

God really does want to bless His people, but not in their stubborn determination to cling to sin or iniquity. His requirement is that we yield to Him. In the yielding, one is drawn to the great fountain of God’s forgiveness, grace, and strength; strength that is not as human strength which is actually weakness. The testimony of Paul to the Corinthians remains for us, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness, . . . therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in

distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” His strength is true strength. He is the right source.

Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Eph. 6:10

FOR THOUGHT: Have you actually experienced a desired outcome which you could not effect, but in what you thought was your weakness, it came to pass?

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