Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

My wife and I go to the gym to exercise because we need it to maintain health and our immune systems to battle sickness, disease, etc. Along with that we need to eat right, and what is true for the physical body is no different for the spiritual aspect of our lives. To be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might we must exercise.

First, we are told that we are to run with patience. This means ‘patient endurance’ and we see that this is one of the secrets of the Christian life. In the New Testament, the idea of spiritual exercise comes out. In Ephesians we are told to be strong in the Lord and to stand. In Hebrews we are told to run with patience. In Jude it brings out that we are to build ourselves up in the most holy faith. What we find is that instead of doing nothing the Christian life ought to be filled with activity, stamina and a life of exertion.

We see that the author of Hebrews is telling Hebrew Christians and us as well what to do during ‘their evil day.’ The Hebrews were having great trouble and about ready to give up like many are today. We find that the author of Hebrews does not mince words, but gives a very stern warning. He is not patting them on the back and giving them a sentimental message, but instead reminds them that in the world they will have persecution. Part of being strong in the Lord is to understand this.

The author of Hebrews reminds them and us that we are to pay careful attention to what we have heard lest we drift. Many of God’s people are drifting, because it is the easiest thing to do. It is easy to drift with the current of the time instead of going against the flow with the Lord’s instructions. We see in Hosea how the Israelites went to Egypt (the world) for help and found out that their calling from God became a mockery because Egypt could not deliver them, and this is true of the world as well when it comes to our faith and calling in Christ. We are to look forward to the hope that we have in Christ Jesus. What we have now is a shadow of the reality that is to come.

In chapter 5 of Hebrews we see what the problem was with the Hebrew Christians which is also the problem with many today. They were babies and needed milk. In Hebrews 5:11 we read that they were ‘dull’ in hearing. The word ‘dull’ means sluggish, lazy or even stupid.

Dakes commentary brings out: “Milk-feeding was a metaphor used by many writers, both sacred and profane, to express the first principles of religion and science. They applied sucking to learning; infant to every beginner; and meat to those who had learned the first principles of truth.”

We need to learn to exercise our senses regarding the Word of God. So often we try to live on a verse here and there and it does not work. We need to dig in, read and study it. We need to meditate on what we read and when we do not fully understand we can go to the Holy Spirit and ask for wisdom and He will lead us into all truth. Look at the great saints of old in Hebrews 11 and how they spent time with God in prayer and in the meditation of the Word.

We concentrate on evangelism and that is good, but the way to evangelize is to build up one another (the church). We are told in Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” The word stir is the same word used in Acts 15:39 where Paul and Barnabas had a “sharp” disagreement over John Mark. The word for “stir” is a strong word. It would be like getting a kick in the pants to get going. Quit feeling sorry for yourself. You have a ‘blessed hope,’ you have angels encamped around you, you have the Word of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, etc. This seems to be what the author of the Hebrews is telling the Hebrew Christians and I believe telling us as well.

So what are we to do? Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” The word “looking” means to ‘consider.’ So, to be “strong in the Lord and the power of His might” we consider Jesus. He is our example. This is why the reading of the four gospels is so important.

Psalms 31:24 “Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.”

In this spiritual warfare God is calling us to be ‘strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.’ I have been asking the question: What does this mean and how can we put this truth into action?

We can be strong in the Lord by knowing what is waiting for us known as the “blessed hope.” We realize that this life is passing away; we are on a journey and the real thing is yet to come. This life is only the shadow of the reality to come.

The patriarchs of old are examples for us. Abraham went out not knowing where he was going, but he knew Who was going with him. And like Moses, they were all seeking a city whose builder and maker is God. In other words, they had their eye on the glory to come.

1 John 3:2-3 tells us: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

Hope is a powerful emotion. But it is this “blessed hope” that keeps us strong in the Lord and also wanting to live a life of purity, to be more like Jesus. We will see Jesus face to face when we stand before Him. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

To be able to put this into practice is to realize that when we became born-again a seed was planted in us of “new life.” To see this new life grow we must feed it and this is where the Word of the Lord comes in.

As it is to maintain our physical body – so it is with our spiritual life: just like we try to eat healthy foods, not junk food, we want to feed our spirit on the Word of God and not the junk that we see, hear and are bombarded with every day. We know from John 6:53-60 that Jesus is our food and we also know from John 1 that He is the Word and this is what we must give time to. Didn’t Moses say that we should live on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God?

The Bible gives us knowledge and true understanding that builds us up and makes us strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Timothy was to remain strong by remembering the things that he was taught by Paul and others. This too is something that we must have and remember. We forget too easily what is true and eternal, especially when things are not going our way.

The situation was pretty bad for Nehemiah and his team as they were building the wall around Jerusalem. In some ways it was a super-human undertaking with many obstacles and enemies trying to stop them. What did Nehemiah do? “And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, ‘Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.’” Nehemiah 4:14

Like us, they had a rich inheritance that they could look back on; Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt; Joshua and the battles fought in taking over the Promised land; King David and the victories that came about because God was with him. So Nehemiah says: “Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Nehemiah talked to the builders of the Jerusalem’s wall, Paul spoke to Timothy about faith, hope and love, as well as to us – challenging us to remember the Lord. He is the King of Kings and this battle is between God and Satan, and God will win!

Part of remembering is the power of prayer. This is another thing that can give us strength, vigor and insight. Prayer is not just petitioning God, it is our communication/fellowship with the living God.

When I am driving in the car I do not like to listen to the radio, but instead I communicate with God. What a privilege we have been given in how Jesus opened the way for us with His own body and blood to communicate with God! Jesus offers us an invitation in Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” This is not an evangelistic message, but reminding us to have communion with the living God.

The greatest saints have always been men of prayer, spending a lot of time in prayer.

Knowing that the battle is the Lord’s does not mean that we do not fight, because we do have our part in the battle. We have not been called to passivity, but to be fully engaged in this battle between God and Satan. We know that in this battle we are to be “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” The question is: how do we connect these two things: God’s power and our involvement?

It comes down to our activity in the sphere that He has given us to work in. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10 that he would not go beyond the sphere that God gave him. We too have a sphere that God has called us to and in that sphere is where we are to be fully engaged, to be active in the power that He gives. We are told in Hebrews 2:18 “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

Just as here on earth Jesus depended on His Heavenly Father, so too we depend on Jesus. He will not do it for us, but He will help us. He will not take away the problems, the obstacles, but He will be with us and help us to overcome.

In Judges 3:1-2 we see that the Lord left some nations in Israel, to test those who had not known war and to teach future generations about war.  This is the same for us today. Victory was won 2000 years ago, but God still allows the enemy certain limited authority (like being on a leash) to teach us how to overcome, how to fight, how to be victorious. We find this same truth coming out in Romans 8:26-27 in being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. The Spirit of God helps us in the time of need.

When the army came against him, Jehoshaphat did not know what to do, so he went to the Lord and God told him what to do. First, do not be afraid or discouraged. When the enemy comes in like a flood, we should not be discouraged or afraid. Jehoshaphat was reminded again that the battle is not his, but the Lord’s. This is a truth that we need to keep in mind. Next he was not to flee or run away, but to go down against them, and take up their position. We see in this that God fought the battle, but there were things that they had to do in taking up their position against the enemy.

We are told in Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” God does not say here – ‘let go and let God,’ but just the opposite. I am to work out what God has put in me. This seems impossible, but “it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

The question that comes is how do we work this out in practicalities? Paul is an example for us in this regard. In Acts 18:9-10 Paul is in Corinth where there was much opposition, but through a vision in the night the Lord spoke and said: “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10

Paul was made strong in the Lord by a vision and with the assurance that God was with him. In Acts 27 in the voyage to Rome by ship we see the same thing with Paul when a fierce storm came and it looked like they all would die. An angel stood by Paul and encouraged him and told him what to do. It was through this that Paul was made strong in the Lord and the power of His might. In the same way we too can find instruction and encouragement in the Lord.

We find in 1 Samuel 30 with King David that the Amalekites came and attacked Ziglag while David and his men were away and took away everything, even their wives and children. David’s men were so upset that they were about to stone David, but we read, “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”

How do we strengthen ourselves in the Lord? I believe that there are a number of ways. One for me has been with the Word of God. Often the Lord has given me a word that helped me through a difficult decision that I had to make. We are sometimes strengthened through members of the Body of Christ. What I find uplifting is when people come and share what the Lord has been speaking to them. This encourages me. Or someone comes with a personal word for me. It might be a sermon that the pastor gave, or whatever. But in any case – we are strengthened in the Lord.

However, it is important to never forget the truth that the battle is the Lord’s and not my own individual battle. If we have been born again we must remember who and what we are. We are children of the Most High God and we go forth in His power and in His might.

Proverbs 12:1 “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.”

To me one of the best definitions of discipline is: doing what we know we should do whether we feel like it or not. Martyn Lloyd Jones said: ‘Discipline is an absolute essential in the Army; it is one of the most important things of all. If an army is not disciplined it is already defeated; it becomes a rabble.’

To be strong in the Lord and the power of His might we need practice. How true it is that practice makes perfect. We need exercise to be active, because if we are idle we are in a dangerous position. We see this with King David in 2 Samuel 11:1 “In the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent out Joab and his servants with him and all Israel: and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Ramah. But David remained at Jerusalem.” David was idle and we see the consequences of this.

2 Peter 1:5-6 describes the activity that we should be involved in. We are to give all diligence, which is an exhortation to us that means we are to give full attention to what follows; to be constantly in it; to apply ourselves to it. When we accept Christ, a seed is planted within us and we must nourish and feed this seed to see its fruit produced, the fruit of the Holy Spirit. To do this takes discipline. No wonder Billy Graham said: “The secret to the Christian life is discipline.”

Peter goes on to say that we are to add, or supplement, or to furnish what is needed to work out this salvation that has been planted within us. So, to our faith we are to add virtue. This brings out the idea of vigor, moral energy. Sometimes the best way to understand a word is to see the opposite. Do not be lethargic; do not do things half-heartedly or be half asleep. Too many Christians are like what Charles Lamb described: “We have the mumps and measles of the soul.” We are too sickly.

To virtue we add knowledge which speaks about insight and understanding and the more we understand about the Christian truth the stronger we are.

To knowledge we add self-control. We become stronger in the Lord when we learn to control ourselves. Another way of putting this is conservation of energy. By reserving our energy from doing meaningless and sinful things, we become stronger in the Lord doing His will. We lose our energy when we lose self-control. See a man filled with rage and we see the energy that he is losing or wasting and has no ability to deal with the enemy. We are told in Proverbs 16:32 “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

Brilliance or personality alone will not carry us through to success; we must have discipline. If you want men to follow you and to get the best out of them, you must control your temper. If you cannot control your temper you cannot control your men.

We are to add to self-control perseverance. This means patient continuance (waiting). It takes time and trouble to control oneself. No one does it for you (yes, we have the help of the Holy Spirit), but it is like Peter says – we are to add. This brings out the idea of going on. So many of us we quit when things do not work out the way we want or when we meet obstacles. We are to KOKO (keep on keeping on). He who watches the wind never harvests, he never sows – because he is always hesitating, wondering, etc. Yes, there will be hindrances, obstacles, disappointments, opposition and persecution, but we patiently go on.

Next, we are to add godliness. Here we see something different. We see ourselves in our relationship to God. This brings out the idea of being conscientious – walking in the sight of God. The Bible states that Enoch walked with God. This is godliness when we are aware that we are living in the very presence of God. It is like what God said to Abraham: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.’” Genesis 17:1

To godliness to add brotherly kindness which brings out our relationship to others. There are many weak Christians and one of the chief causes of their weakness is that they do not love their brethren. They waste much of their time and energy in thinking harsh or hateful thoughts about other people. This drains their energy. John says that we know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. Love is a proof of our life in Christ.

To brotherly kindness we add love. The word is agape and this is the love that only God produces. There is a difference between liking someone and loving someone. There are many hateful things about others, but we are to love them as Christ loved us.

To be strong in the Lord we must remember that “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” We need to learn how to use the Name of the Lord. We see this with David coming against Goliath, and Elisha taking over from Elijah and shouting, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah.” Or Peter saying in Acts 3:6, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” The Christian fights, but he trusts in the Name, he invokes the Name and he is made strong by the Name of the Lord, and so he is “more than a conqueror.”

Bottom line in all of this: “For if these things abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In this great battle being fought between God and Satan – good versus evil – men and women who have these virtues abounding in them will be a great light in a dark place pointing others to the LIGHT of the LORD. With all of the hate along with difference of opinions being expressed and pushed, and with judgmental attitudes – we need to see the children of God being manifested. “Blessed are peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God.” Matthew 5:9