The Joy Of The Lord IS Our Strength
Standing for marriage restoration is one of the hardest things we’ll ever do, and it’s just not possible without relying on the strength of the Lord. But when we put our faith in Him and learn to rely TOTALLY on HIS strength, we WILL be like the “Proverbs 31 Woman”, as described in Proverbs 31:25, which says She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Unfortunately, when we’re in the midst of the storm, especially in the beginning of it, it’s hard to imagine laughing at or about anything, much less the days to come! But if we’d REALLY learn to draw our strength from the Lord and not to put our faith, trust or expectations in man, particularly our husbands, we would experience peace and strength, and, yes EVEN joy that would not be possible otherwise. And we would realize the truth of Philippians 4:13, which says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. So perhaps some of the following verses will help us understand that we CAN do this and that we can do it with joy and confidence, because of the wisdom and promises they contain:
Psalm 118:8
i>It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
Jeremiah 17:5
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
Psalm 105:4
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.
1 Chronicles 16:27
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
Psalm 118:14
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Psalm 68:35
You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
Psalm 28:7-8
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 118, is an awesome reminder of why we put our faith and trust in the Lord and NOT in man, and when we do that, we’ll understand the praises expressed in verses 16 and 17, which say The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!” I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. So when we’re discouraged, reading it and the following verses will help remind us to turn to the Lord:
Psalm 119:28
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
Isaiah 40:29
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
It is my sincere hope and prayer that every woman standing for the restoration of her marriage will learn to live in the strength of the Lord and know His joy, so that Colossians 1:10-14 will become the reality of her life, which says And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. And Colossians 2:6-8, shows us how to make that possible, because it says So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. And we should always remember Revelation 5:12, which says In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Then we’re able to live as instructed in Nehemiah 8:10, which says Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”