Feats of Strength

But Lord, be merciful to us, for we have waited for you. Be our strong arm each day and our salvation in times of trouble.

Isaiah 33:2 (NLT)

Believe it or not, I used to be an athlete. (For those who know me personally, maybe you can see some semblance of my formal self. Eh, probably not.) Back in the day, I was built for speed and agility, which made sports like volleyball, football, and track a good match for me. I could run fast in straight lines, but also could move quickly from side-to-side. I was, however, never particularly strong. Yes, I spent hours in the weight room, but I never really got ripped. I didn’t get that body builder physique with bulging biceps or protruding pectorals. I was strong enough to play the sports that I loved, but I never seemed to bulk up when I worked out.

In comparison to the God of the universe, however, even our strongest men and women seem a bit flabby. OK, maybe a lot flabby! Our earthly strength cannot remotely match the power of God. This is a God who keeps all of creation together. He formed the earth and holds it in place. He keeps the sea within its shores. He holds the sun, moon, and stars just right to give us an amazing existence. (See Job 38-40 for more information on how big our God is, and how small we should feel in comparison)

If that didn’t get your attention, imagine this. When God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross over during their Exodus from Egypt, He would have had to displace, and lift approximately 41,766,907,776 pounds of water and hold it for hour upon hour while the Israelites crossed to safety. That’s nearly 42 billion pounds! Our God is uber-strong!

So, when we read this verse from Isaiah, we can see that God’s “strong arm” works for us, and is our salvation in times of trouble. Isaiah is trying to convey to us that the mightiness of God is on our side. That same God who holds the universe together, holds the earth in His hands, hangs the sun moon and stars, and can lift entire seas, is fighting for you and me. He’s on our side! That should bring praise upon praise from our hearts and our lips. When Satan attacks, call upon the strong arm of the Lord to fight for you. Each day, pray that His strong arm will lift you up and not let you fall. Each moment, give praise to the One who, alone, has the strength to save all those who call upon His name.