By: Alice A. Pickens
Psalm 105:4 Seek the Lord, and His strength: seek His face evermore.
Psalm 138:3 (KJV) 3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
Psalm 105:4 says, “seek the Lord, and His strength, seek His face evermore”. This is a glorious privilege and He has made it clear He so desires us to! The well-being of our soul is upmost on God’s heart. Our focus today is going to be seeking God’s strength. What I have discovered is that there is such depth in what David said all throughout the scriptures in regard to seeking God’s help and His strength. He was so dependent upon God and His help, His strength.
Let’s start with the definition of STRENGTH. There are several Hebrew words as well as Greek. My focus today is the Hebrew word ‘OZ used in Psalm 105:4.
STRENGTH (‘OZ) (Strong’s 5797) Boldness, power, might. In the Ancient Hebrew: Boldness; Knowing one’s position or authority & standing in it. Strengthened and protected. Continue Reading
What I am seeing from this definition is that when we seek God’s strength, we are seeking His inner strength that declares His character, His boldness and authority. His strength to stand and never waver from His position of integrity. It takes great strength for God to stand in His righteousness and there to never be any shadow of turning. What we are asked to do is to TAP INTO THAT STRENGTH so we may stand firm in our faith, in a firm position that is steadfast and a place of security. There is no safer place to be then the place that honors God and His Righteousness. When we seek His strength, we are seeking the inner strength and resolve to stand against the temptations of the enemy and to be faithful in obeying Him and His Word. Without His strength this is impossible.
We are living in a very evil time in history. When good is called evil and evil is called good. We have to know what we believe and we have to know that it takes God’s strength to stand firm in our convictions no matter what. We need to use every opportunity we can to spend time with God drawing upon His strength. God has directed me to look at the life of David for our example. I would recommend you go through the Psalms and look at all the references to seeking God’s strength and other virtues. He called God His Rock, His Shield & Buckler, His Fortress, etc.
DAVID’S CHILDHOOD: David was a shepherd in His Father Jesse’s house. He had many brothers, but he was the youngest. As he grew up, he was given the task of shepherding the sheep. To some this may be a menial task. But it was not. You were with your sheep 24/7. You feed them, guide them, protect them, and in his day, you created corrals with thorn bushes to guard them at night from predators. This time was a great learning experience for David and prepared him to be King of Israel. He came to know God while worshipping Him with his harp. He learned to draw upon His strength and trust Him. He found out that in God’s presence is great JOY & STRENGTH. He sought God’s help going after bears and lions that would snatch his sheep. He learned to trust God to help him in very dangerous tasks. This prepared him to be the shepherd of Israel. No comparison to our Great Shepherd Jesus, but a beautiful type & shadow.
DAVID PURSUING GOLIATH: (I Samuel 17:17-58) When David was in a position to stand against Goliath, he knew just what to do. To him, Goliath was no different than a lion or bear. He had to go through the same motions. He had to disregard the mockery of his elder brother. He had to reject King Saul’s armor. He had to go in the same power that God had provided and proved to him before. He said, I come to you in the Name of the Lord! He did not go in his own strength nor his own name. He knew without God’s strength he was defeated. But, as you read, he went in BOLDNESS, STRENGTH, AND HE STOOD ONLY UPON THAT. When we attempt anything in our own strength, pride, abilities, we will run mighty short and probably fall flat on our face.
God called David a “Man after His Own heart”. God knew David’s heart. David spent his youth seeking God’s heart. He wanted to please and obey God. God picked him because He knew he would do what He asked him to do (not because he was perfect). King Saul lost his position because he was disobedient and rebellious.
1 Samuel 13:14 (KJV) 14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
1 Kings 14:7-8 (KJV) 7 Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel,
8 And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;
DAVID’S KINGSHIP: David wrote the Psalms during all his trials and victories. As you read through the Psalms you can see how his calling upon God was a way of life. He sought His strength which gave him the courage, strength, and boldness to survive and do what he had to do. Even before he became King he so desperately called upon God’s help as King Saul sought for his life. Then in the dark and painful days of when his son Absalom turned on him.
David’s life is a beautiful example of one that spoke of the greatness of God over and over again as he stated in the Scriptures. He spoke of God not only of being his strength, but so much more. He was quick to repent because he had a healthy fear of the Lord. He had come to know the awesomeness of God from his time in the Shepherd’s field to ruling as King of Israel. He suffered much from his weaknesses because war never left his house. But God loved him and knew him. He did do what God had called him to do, He was a good shepherd over the nation of Israel.
Psalm 18:1-3 (KJV) 1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT HE COULDN’T HAVE DONE WHAT HE DID WITHOUT CALLING UPON GOD FOR HIS STRENGTH. We too can call upon God for this strength that gives us the courage, boldness, ability to stand firm in our convictions and obey what He calls us to do. To stand when everyone is against us. To speak when we should and be silent when we should. To be like Ezekiel: A head like flint and to warn the people while not being moved by their faces. Jeremiah had to do the same. Joshua was commanded to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS.
Anything and everything God ask us to do requires strength, boldness and courage. That is why His perfect love casts out all fear. His perfect love tells us He will watch over us and guide us through the power of the Holy Spirit. God is our strong tower, a place that is SAFE!
Proverbs 18:10 (KJV) 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:
In the New Testament the instructions are no different. Apostle Paul clearly made it clear we are to be strong in the Lord, putting on the armor of God (a whole study in itself). In Philippians 4 Paul makes it clear that it is through the strength of Jesus Christ he is able to be content and victorious in all circumstances. In Philippians 3:7-11 he made it known that nothing in this life has any value in comparison to KNOWING JESUS CHRIST. It is in Him that we have life, strength and joy. It is in knowing Him deeply that we come to know His resurrection power.
Ephesians 6:10 (KJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Philippians 4:13 (KJV) 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
(Greek Interlinear) I am strong for all things in the Christ who empowers me.
Ephesians 1:19-20 (KJV) 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Ephesians 6:10-11 (KJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
I will be following up with an article on the JOY OF THE LORD being our strength. David drew upon God’s strength in all aspects (mind, body, & spirit). But God has to strengthen the heart first. Just as God is steadfast in His integrity and plan, we must start with getting our heart set on pleasing Him.
Psalm 27:14 (KJV) 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
The word “wait” means to bind together, to twist. The process of becoming one with God, receiving His strength, His help, His character. Waiting can be a whole study in itself, but very much a part of seeking.
DAVID PROVED IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN; IT IS ESSENTIAL TO SEEK GOD’S STRENGTH THAT YOU MAY BRING GLORY TO HIS NAME!
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