“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” — 1 Timothy 4:8
Strong in the Lord
In the 1970s, the Pittsburgh Steelers won four Super Bowls. Part of the reason was their offensive linemen could all bench press 500 pounds. Their superior strength protected quarterback Terry Bradshaw well and opened huge holes for Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier.
The weight room is a vital part of athletic programs today in professional, college and even high school sports. Strength training pays off in football, basketball and other sports as well.
In Nehemiah 6, there were trying times in Judah with immorality, apathy, fear and attacks from without and within upon the Jews. Did Nehemiah want to give up, give in or just move? No, he asked God in verse 9 to “strengthen my hands.” Was he talking of physical strength, or spiritual?
Maybe he meant both, but certainly the latter. Today’s opening verse tells us that physical strength is good and profitable, but spiritual strength is better. Our culture today is in trying times with immorality, apathy, fear and attacks from without and within upon Christians.
Are you becoming strong in the Lord during all of this, or do you want to give up, give in or just move? We can’t fight these battles on our own strength. Good biceps and abs will last a long time if we keep working them, but strength from the Lord lasts forever. May we, like Nehemiah, rely on God to strengthen our hands in our times of trials.
— Stanley Tucker
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