God's Strength Dwells Within Us! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 John 4:4,

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

Here is something I wrote on this passage in June of 2007:

John speaks of false prophets and teachers that have gone out into the world. He calls these "antichrists" and in chapter 2 he points out that they attempt to lead the faithful astray. John says his readers have overcome these false prophets and teachers.

As I look at this verse this morning I notice how it is that his readers have overcome these false teachers and prophets. I note it is not because they have read the latest book on "overcoming". I note also that it is not due to the "spiritual muscles" his readers might have, or "spiritual disciplines" his readers might engage in, or the pastor they listen to on Sunday mornings or anything whatsoever that is innately from within them. Not that any of these things are not helpful, but He says his readers overcome these false prophets and teachers because "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." Because God resides within believers we have all that we need to overcome anyone who would attempt to lead us astray.

I am reminded of Paul's observation, "Who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?" 1 Corinthians 4:7. It is God who provides us spiritual wisdom and strength. My weakness is the canvas upon which God's strength is displayed. As Paul says in his second letter to the church in Corinth, 12:9-10, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

This morning I take great encouragement that it is the strength of God in my weakness that makes me an "overcomer". Jesus Christ is greater than anyone in the world and upon God's own faithfulness he assures me he will keep me strong and blameless till the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 1 Corinthians 1:7-9.

I think our God is wonderful and how wonderful it is that whatever spiritual strength I need, I have it within me as it is God who dwells within me! Just how wonderful is that?!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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