The Need of Strength

Why am I so often surprised when God intervenes?

Last week seemed to be especially stressful. Our life is normally filled with responsibility--four kids, one autistic, one a toddler recovering from cancer. Susan fell ill with a bad cold and sinus infection and work was particularly demanding as we were at a project deadline. Then the doctor told Susan she looked exhausted and might be fighting symptoms of depression as well. I felt helpless and overwhelmed.

As we were discussing these thing, I blurted out, "We need the strength of the Lord!" And then I spontaneously prayed out loud, "Lord, we need your strength." Soon after I was by myself and a peace came upon me and it seemed as though God spoke to my heart saying, "everything is going to be alright." I repeated the phrase to Susan.

What amazes me is how things can look helpless and hopeless at one moment and in the next "it is well with my soul." Nothing changed with my circumstance, but I was changed. The only explanation is that God intervenes. Here is a verse that I found that sums it up:

Psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

What a heritage for people of the Lord! What a precious promise. After Jesus had risen and before he left, he told his disciples "Peace I leave with you."

Notice how the verse ties strength and peace together. I asked for strength and he gave me peace. The peace of the Lord is strength to the soul. I have found that some of the most amazing promises in the Bible deal with the peace of the Lord. There is the promise of perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3), a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7), the peace of Christ (John 14:27) and a peace like nothing in this world (John 14:27).