433. Strengthened and Walking
Zechariah 10:12 AndI will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord.
God promises to strengthen us and make us walk up and down in His name. “They shall walk and not faint,” prophesies Isaiah. Peter declares to the lame man, “In the name of Jesus Christ rise up and walk.” Jesus heals the lame man by giving strength to his legs. The Lord will give strength to us in the name of the Lord. The inward man is very strong, much stronger than we realize. Inner strength is more important than bodily strength, and it lasts forever and then joins with the re-strengthened and resurrected body. In such a “spiritual body” we live forever with the Lord.
We are weak, but He is strong. When we are weak, our Lord in us is strong. His strength is made visible in weakness. Inner strength stands firm on the foundation of the words and promises of the Lord. Inner strength stands on the truth and will not be shaken by the deceits of the world and the lies of the devil. Inner strength is not stubbornness but simple firmness that doesn’t give in to lies.
The Lord gives strength all the time, but there are times when we need inner strength more than at other times, when the body is weak it weakens the spirit; and when the emotions are weak and confused they affect the resolve of the will. God gives strength to the emotions, settles them down, and straightens them out. The Lord lifts us up so that we may walk up and down. Walking up and down hills and mountains is not easy and it requires strength. The mountains in our minds and emotions may be easily conquered with the strength that comes from God. When we stand on the Word, believe the Gospel, and apply the promise we are strengthened and able to climb mountains. Faith moves mountains. Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ.