When Strength Fails
Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him. — Psalms 28:7
I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. — 1 Timothy 1:16
Author
Faustino de Jesús Zamora Vargas
Summary: Faced with the Assyrian siege, the people of Jerusalem were afraid, but Hezekiah encouraged them to trust in God’s power. Together with Isaiah, he cried out to the Lord, and God delivered them. Our faithfulness, too, can be besieged by temptation and discouragement. When our strength fails, we should not rely on our own resources but seek God in prayer and trust in his mercy. Even if we have fallen or doubted, we can turn to Jesus Christ in humility. He is our Rock and our help: he sustains us, renews our strength, and turns weariness into joy, peace, and praise.
Jerusalem under siege. Sennacherib, king of Assyria (2 Chronicles 32), attempting to take the city with his powerful army. The people terrified. Fear saps strength and makes the heart faint. Faced with uncertainty about what is to come, doubts arise.
God leads you into the deserts of life to test your faith and uncover the schemes of the heart. Sennacherib mocked Hezekiah’s God: “…the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand.” (2 Chr 32:17)
The king of Judah rallied the people: “Be strong and courageous; do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria or because of all the multitude with him, for the one with us is more powerful than the one with him.” (2 Chr 32:7). Hezekiah, accompanied by the prophet Isaiah, cried out to the Lord of Hosts, and an angel of the Lord delivered the people from the invaders. The Bible says that Hezekiah prospered in everything he did (2 Chr 32:30).
Hezekiah, like David, was a man of prayer. Seeking God in difficult times. Trusting in God’s mercies above human plans. When prayer becomes a way of life for someone who trusts and believes in God’s power in the face of difficulties, a miracle happens, because God extends his hand to the one who humbles himself in prayer and cries out for divine justice. The tears caused by trials, and the spiritual faintness that results from our own lustful acts, can turn into praise and song if we turn to the one who is the source of comfort and love, Jesus Christ, our Rock and Lord.
The Christian’s life can also come under siege. The soldiers of the spiritual powers do not relent in their attempt to besiege our faithfulness and love for the Lord, to surround us with their subtle traps of seemingly childish yet deceptive promises, and to harass us with temptations that diminish our faith. What is the Christian life if not a genuine spiritual war?
The people grew discouraged, but Hezekiah trusted in his Lord and encouraged them to trust in Him. God answered with power. He cannot be mocked. He answers when we place all our trust in his mercy and power. The fear of God is a source of life and peace for the one who seeks him and trusts in his promises of faithfulness and restoration. Christ is our ever-present help, the Rock on which we can stand firm when our strength fails and our hearts faint; he is the reason for our worship even when evil besieges us and causes us to stumble. The heart that turns to God in humility experiences joy and blessing.
Human strength is not God’s strength. It may sound simplistic, but sometimes we trust in our “chariots and horses” (Psalm 20:7 RV) rather than in God’s supernatural provision, which is Christ our Lord. That is why our strength falters and fails, the soul becomes overwhelmed, and sorrow comes to the heart. But God is good, and his mercy endures forever. To whom shall we go but to the one who has words of eternal life? (John 6:68). Jesus waits. He knows how to wait for the one who doubts, for the one who repents of his unbelief, for the one who falls into the hunter’s trap but fixes his eyes on Him for salvation and restoration. His outstretched arm gives us encouragement, renewed strength, and blessing. Turning to Him when our strength fails brings joy and peace.
God bless you!