Established & Strong
All throughout the Old Testament there is a pattern that kings became established and then they became strong. In a similar way I believe we must become established in the New Covenant and then grow strong. This is a progression God takes us through. But in 2 Chronicles 12:1 it says that after Solomon's son Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord.
After Rehoboam was established and strong, he abandoned God and forgot about him, which led to battles he had to face. But he eventually humbled himself and turned back to God. It seems that there is a tendency for people to become complacent and forget about God when things are going well, and they are strong. But Jesus tells us in Luke 10:27 to “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
God wants to take us through a progression of becoming established and strong, but then the strength he gives is meant to be used to love and honor him.
Today's communion is a time of gratitude that God can establish and strengthen us. And we are asking him to establish us and make us strong, and to help us use the strength he provides to love him the way he designed us to.
Today's Health/Fitness Tip
Growing in strength is one of the most important goals of fitness. It can be easy to get off track and lured into other things, but one of the main goals should be to get stronger, because when we are stronger it makes everything else easier.
I am praying for you.
Daniel