Times are TOUGH. We’ve seen before (1 Pet 4:12) that we shouldn’t be surprised by the “fiery trial” that is guaranteed to beset those who are getting it right. This challenge will not go away. The title of this devotion is a popular motto, and it resonates with most human beings for a multitude of reasons. I suspect this is because things get rough. The universal human experience this side of Genesis 3 involves suffering the consequences of sin and death. People do not really like to discuss death, but facts are facts; we are going to face it sooner or later. Maybe we should think it through before we need to! “Be strong” is a popular sentiment because we need it.

The Command

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ” (Ephesians 6:10, NAS)

This is one of my favorite phenomena in the NT: A passive imperative. How can you obey a command whose action you do not perform? Greek grammar makes me ask such a question here, as in Ephesians 5:18. A word on the passive voice is in order. Think of a passive statement in English: “The ball was hit by the player for the Texas Rangers.” The SUBJECT of the verb was hit is ball. The ball is passively being acted upon “by the Texas Rangers player.” In other words: the subject of a passive verb is not performing the action of the verb. Some Greek grammarians have suggested that this is a way of saying “be strong” in a self-starting way instead of “be strengthened” in a passive way from outside activity of another. The difference is nuanced, perhaps, but I suspect the heart of the matter is that we are being held responsible for something which we do not do ourselves. The context bears out this interpretation, and NET and HCSB translate accordingly.

If you read on, say, down to v12, the nature of the need gets pretty scary. The enemy is invisible, powerful, and pervasive. In its context Paul’s command is motivated by the reality of an invisible war that rages around us. Even though we cannot see it, it is real. Our need for strength is very real. If you face a relaxing day of sitting around checking email and eating peanut butter sandwiches with no driving responsibilities or pressures, your need for strength is negligible. But if you’re facing the onslaught of the demonic horde with reason, knowledge, and power that far outstrips your own, you have incredible need for strength. That is why the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ is your Source.

In the Lord

This phrase likely means “by the Lord” here and so refers to the source of the believer’s strength in the face of his mighty enemies. Remember Ps 23:5: the enemy gets to be present while God wines and dines us. This proviso is where the biblical worldview departs from the yellow bracelet, in my understanding. Here we are not being strong in ourselves but in God. This is not greater independence and self-assertion but a profound dependence that exalts and honors your Creator. Here again is why we’re here. We read in the Bible that evil is bounded. There was a beginning to evil, and God did not cause it. There will be an end to evil, whereby God will put it away forever. In the meantime we deal in God’s power with evil, but not in fear. We handle troubles far and away beyond our capacity even to comprehend them by relying on the God Who made us, saved us, and will raise us.

Two Emphases

“In the Lord” is a reference to personal God. Paul most often uses “Lord” to refer to Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity. The emphasis of our source of strength for the ongoing struggle is the Lord, a PERSONAL source. The Bible is forever calling us to a closer personal walk with God on His terms. The second emphasis is a description of the first: “the strength of His might.” That is a reference to our personal God’s attribute of omnipotence. Our God is not only PERSONAL, He is POWERFUL. The phrase “strength of His might” should be understood as “His mighty strength.” He has strength or power, yes, but of what quality? What kind of power? Mighty power. In fact, our God is so powerful He made everything that exists out of nothing.

Now That’s a Good Source

We should derive our power from the ultimate Source, the Living God Whose power will never be exhausted or beaten. If God is your strength—as opposed to yourself or some other, lesser source—you are invincible, and your success is inevitable. This power is not so that you can sell stuff. It is not self-help so that you can be the best you. This is not one of many options for capability to go on about your ambitious agenda. The power of the Lord comes from abiding in Him (John 15:1-5). He is the vine, His Father is the Vinedresser. You are a branch upon which God can bring forth fruit if only you will abide.

Three Thoughts

1. Sanctification: If it can be commanded, then it can be obeyed. Therefore you can be strong in the Lord.
2. The CONFLICT: This strength is for a purpose: we are in a real war with real enemies that we cannot see.
3. Theology Proper: There is NO GREATER POWER in the universe than the Omnipotent Creator. Your access to the needed assets He wants to supply you depends on your personal reliance on Him. The alternative sources of power—self or others—are not going to defeat the enemy we face.

Passage to Pray

Ps 100

Memory Verse

Eph 6:10: “Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in His mighty power.”