STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

“Saul INCREASED all the more in STRENGTH…” – Acts 9:22a

On the prophetic platform of Fullness of Joy and Strength, we shall move from STRENGTH to STRENGTH: “They go from STRENGTH to STRENGTH; each one appears before God in Zion” (Psa. 84:7). This infers that there are different levels, dimensions or kinds of strength. The strength you want most may not be the strength you need most, because the weakness you feel may not be the real source of your weakness. The strength we really need most from God transcends the physical, because the most important things He has called us to do run deeper and higher than what we typically see and feel.

A verse in the story of Saul’s conversion illustrates what it means to go from strength to strength: “Saul increased all the more in strength…” (Acts 9:22a). When the risen Christ confronted Saul on the Damascus road, he was so bewildered and overwhelmed that he refused to eat or drink for three days, and was physically depleted. When Ananias laid hands on Saul to heal and anoint him, “Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened” (vv.18-19a). Food helped; he began to regain the physical strength, but still required spiritual strength – which only God Himself can give. Saul still had to be “increased all the more in strength.” God was filling him with power beyond the natural.

Abraham was strengthened in faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised (Rom.4:20-21). The strength we need most doesn’t begin in bones, but deep in our soul. Physical fatigue should remind us of how quickly our hearts are prone to faint. Wisdom will ask God to strengthen faith far more often than it asks Him to strengthen the body.

Timothy was encouraged to be strengthened by grace: “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim.2:1). The strength we need most is not earned or achieved; it is given as a gift, and to the undeserving. Real strength knows that apart from Him we can do nothing (Jh.15:5).

We must be strengthened with God’s strength: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Eph.6:10). Real strength comes, not from tapping into your strength, but giving up relying on your own strength. If you feel weak, you do not need more of you; you need more of God.

In addition to filling us with His Strength, God issues us His armor (Eph.6:11-12). He is not simply preparing us to survive another day of work, marriage, family, or ministry. He’s preparing us to defeat the devil, and to stand in His strength against all evil – within and without!

We are strengthened to serve: “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry…” (1Tim.1:12-13). The strength you need most is not meant for self-preservation, but to expend for the good of others. God showers us with His Strength for it to be spent in love on the needs and interests of people in our lives. When we serve “by the strength that God supplies” then He gets the Glory (Mt.5:16; 1Pet.4:11).

We are strengthened to speak: “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear” (2Tim.4:17a). By His Strength, we are able to speak up with courage and boldness about Jesus” (mt.28:19-20).

We are strengthened for every circumstance: “I can do all things through Christ who STRENGTHENS me” (Phil.4:11-13). When Saul “increased all the more in strength” as a new believer and ambassador for Christ, God was strengthening and equipping him to face anything – hunger and plenty, need and abundance. God strengthens us not only to defy evil, and serve others, and share boldly, but to be content in every circumstance – to experience a deep and confident joy in Him regardless of our challenges and trials.