Strength for Today

What does Paul pray for believers in Ephesians 1? "That you would be strengthened according to the power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead."

 

The power that is at work in you, strengthening you, is the same power that raised Jesus Christ from out of that tomb. When you begin asking yourself "Lord, is there a power that can subdue my sin?" "Father, is there strength for me to endure this trial?"  "Lord is there hope for me as I face this health crisis?" Is there hope for my failing marriage, my erring children, is there mercy for me, Oh, Lord!?" Paul's answer is ‘The power that is at work in believers is the same power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead.' It is a sin conquering, trial conquering, even a death-conquering power! Therefore believers can be confident that the One who is at work in us is greater than anything in this world, because that One who is at work in us has already raised our Savior from the dead.

There is no opposing force in the universe over which Christ has not conquered.  There is no trial or temptation through which the Spirit of God is not sufficient to guide us through.  But let us be careful, this is not a strength that is innate, rather it is a strength from which we draw - we draw it by means of prayer.  It was a matter of prayer for Paul on behalf of the readers of his epistle, and it thus must be a matter of prayer by believers.  "Oh what peace we often forfeit.  Oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer."  By prayer we know the Presence and Power that we may have strength for all that we face.