Strength is a much coveted commodity. Many will attend fitness programmes and watch what they eat carefully in order to be strong physically. But spiritual strength is a far greater asset to have. It is better than physical strength in many ways:

(1) It enables us to persevere in believing God’s promises. Romans 4:20 shows us that Abraham "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;"

(2) It enables us to stand firm in the midst of spiritual conflict - "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Eph 6:10,11). Whenever we face temptation to sin, we need such strength to resist it.

(3) It enables us to bear our infirmities. The apostle Paul testified that when he was so troubled by a thorn in the flesh, and prayed that the Lord would remove it, the Lord did not take it away, but said to him, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Thus Paul concluded, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor 12:9).

(4) It is only with spiritual strength that we can weather through all the storms of life. It makes us resilient so that we can pick ourselves up and get going after we have suffered a terrible setback. It enabled King David to encourage himself in the Lord at the moment when everything was going against him (2 Sam 30:6). It enabled Job to say, "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21) when all that he had was taken away from him. It enabled the apostle Paul to be content in whatever state he was – whether abased or abounding (Phi 4:11,12). It enabled him and Silas to sing joyful praises to God in a Philippian jail after being whipped and bound in stocks. It enabled the saints and martyrs to lay their lives down for the sake of Christ, and not be afraid of pain and death.

How can we be spiritually strong? Paradoxically, we have to be weak in order to be strong! "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." (2 Cor 12:10)

This strength in weakness is obviously not from within our selves. Those who dabble in occultic or New Age practices have a mistaken idea of trying to build up their "internal strength" to do great feats. In contrast to all that, the Christian’s source of strength is external, and yet also internal. It is external in the sense that it comes from someone else – the Lord Jesus Christ! Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phi 4:13). But it is also internal, because it comes from Christ who dwells within us and who is always with us.

And because we have Christ as our source of strength to draw from, we can have it all the time, regardless of where we are or what we have. As a comparison, think of the physical strength of Samson – he had no strength after his hair was cut. And those who regard wealth as their source of strength will lose it all when their wealth is taken away. Likewise, those who rely on the strength of their minds to help them will find themselves helpless when their minds deteriorate with age. Every source of strength can be lost or taken away, except Jesus Christ! He remains with us to strengthen us till the very end!