A. God is infinitely more powerful than weak man:
Psa.8:3,4 - When I consider Thy heavens... the moon & the stars, which Thou hast [made]...what is man?
Isa.40:15,17, 22 - All nations before Him are as nothing...as a drop of a bucket... less than nothing
Dan.4:35 - All the inhabitants of earth are reputed as nothing, none can stay His hand
1Cor.1:25 - [Even] the weakness of God is stronger than men
(See also 2Chr.20:6; Psa.89:6.)
B. An honest view of man & his strength:
Job 14:1,2 - Man...is of few days...he cometh forth like a flower, & is cut down (See also Job 7:1)
Isa.40:6-8 - All flesh is grass...the grass withereth (See also Psa.90:5b,6; 103:15,16; Jam.1:10,11; 1Pet.1:24,25.)
Job 8:9 - We know nothing...our days upon earth are a shadow
Psa.39:5,6 - Every man at his best state is altogether vanity
Psa.144:3,4 - What is man? Man is vanity: his days are as a shadow (See also 1Chr.29:15; Psa.62:9; 90:10; Eccl.6:12.)
Psa.78:39 - He remembered they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away (See also Isa.2:22; Jam.4:14,15.)
Psa.103:14 - He knoweth our frame...remembereth that we are dust (See also Gen.18:27; Isa.29:5,6.)
Job 25:6 - Man is a worm
Isa.40:22 - The inhabitants of the earth are as grasshoppers
(See also Job 4:18-20; Rom.7:18.)
C. God is able to do absolutely anything:
Jer.32:27 - I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for Me? (See also Gen.18:14)
Job 42:2 - I know that Thou canst do everything
Psa.62:11 - Power belongeth unto God
Mat.19:26 - With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible
Mat.28:18 - All power is given unto Me in Heaven & in earth
D. God has total power over man:
Job 12:10 - In (His) hand is the soul of every living thing, & the breath of all mankind (See also Dan.5:23)
Job 12:13-25 - With Him is strength...He increaseth the nations, & destroyeth them (See Psa.75:6,7; 107:33-40.)
Isa.43:13 - There is none that can deliver out of My hand
Psa.115:3 - God...hath done whatsoever He hath pleased
Isa.64:8 - We are the clay, & Thou our potter; we all are the work of Thy hand (See also Isa.45:9)
(See also 1Chr.29:12; 2Chr.20:6; Job 9:4; Psa.104:29, 30; Isa.40:23,25.)
A. Let God strengthen you with His strength:
Eph.6:10 - Be strong in the Lord, & in the power of His might
2Chr.20:12 - We have no might against this great company...neither know we what to do: our eyes are upon Thee
Psa.20:7,8 - Some trust in chariots, & some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God
Psa.84:5 - Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee
Psa.105:4 - Seek the Lord & His strength: seek His face evermore
Isa.26:4 - Trust in the Lord, in the Lord is everlasting strength
2Cor.3:4,5 - Not that we are sufficient of ourselves...but our sufficiency is of God
Phi.3:3 - We worship God...& have no confidence in the flesh
(See also Exo.15:2; 2Sam.22:33; Psa.27:1; 68:28,35; 118:8; 147:10,11.)
B. He can do what you can't do:
Zech.4:6 - Not by (your) might, nor by power, but by My Spirit
1Sam.2:9b - By [your own] strength shall no man prevail
Psa.60:11 - Give us help from trouble: vain is the help of man
Psa.127:1 - Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it
Jn.15:5 - Without Me ye can do nothing
(See also Job 9:19a; Psa.33:16,17.)
C. Do what you can, but success depends on God:
Pro.21:31 - The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord
Neh.4:14 - Be not ye afraid of them: [but] remember the Lord great & terrible, & fight for your brethren
A. God's strength is manifest in our weakness:
2Cor.4:7 - We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the... power may be of God, & not of us
Isa.40:29 - He giveth power to the faint; & to them that have no might He increaseth strength
Psa.8:2 - Out of mouth of babes...hast Thou ordained strength
Psa.37:39 - The Lord...is their strength in the time of trouble
Psa.73:26 - My flesh & my heart faileth: but God is [my] strength
Isa.25:4 - Thou (art) a strength to...the needy in his distress
Isa.41:10 - I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee
2Cor.1:8,9 - We were pressed out of measure, above strength...but we (do) not trust in ourselves, but in God
2Cor.12:9,10 - "My strength is made perfect in (your) weakness"... When I am weak, then am I strong
2Cor.13:4 - We are weak in Him, but we shall live...by power of God
Heb.11:34 - [Bible saints:] Out of weakness were made strong
(See Psa.94:17,18)
B. When you have no other help, He'll strengthen you:
Psa.72:12 - He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, & him that hath no helper
Lk.22:43,45 - [Jesus' disciples slept, but] an angel (came) from Heaven, strengthening Him
2Tim.4:16,17 - No man stood with me, but all men forsook me... the Lord stood with me, & strengthened me
(See also Psa.27:10)
C. He will give strength day by day to keep you going:
Deut.33:25b - As thy days, so shall thy strength be
Mat.6:34 - Take no thought for the morrow...sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof
D. When you have only little strength, the Lord will help you:
Psa.37:24 - Though he fall...the Lord upholdeth him with His hand
Isa.35:4 - Say to them that are of a fearful heart, "Be strong"
Dan.11:34 - When they fall, they shall be holpen with a little help
Rev.3:8 - Thou hast a little strength, & hast kept My Word
A. How to receive God's power:
Josh.1:5-9 - Only be thou strong & very courageous...observe the (Word)... then thou shalt have good success
2Chr.16:9 - The Lord (shews) Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him
Neh.8:10 - The joy of the Lord is your strength
Psa.138:3 - When I cried Thou...strengthenedst me with strength
Isa.27:5 - Let him take hold of My strength
Isa.30:15 - In quietness & in confidence (faith) shall be your strength
Isa.40:31 - They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength
Dan.11:32 - People that do know God shall be strong, & do exploits
Mic.3:8 - I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord...& of might
Acts 1:8 - Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you
Eph.3:16 - Strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man
1Jn.2:14a - Ye are strong [because] the Word of God abideth in you
B. He strengthens you with His power:
Psa.18:29-34 - It is God that girdeth me with strength
Psa.68:28 - Thy God hath commanded thy strength
Psa.68:35 - God...giveth strength & power unto His people
Psa.71:16a - I will go in the strength of the Lord God
Psa.80:17 - Let Thy hand be upon the man...whom Thou madest strong for Thyself
Psa.84:5,7 - Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee...they go from strength to strength
Phi.4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me
Col.1:11 - Strengthened with all might, (by) His glorious power
Mat.10:1,8 - He gave (His disciples) power against unclean spirits
(See also Judg.14:6,19; 15:14,15; Psa.8:2; Lk.10:19.)
C. Praise God for strengthening you:
Psa.28:7,8 - The Lord is my strength...I am helped...with my song will I praise Him
D. Give God the glory for working through you:
Phi.2:13 - For it is God which worketh in you
1Pet.4:11 - Let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified
Isa.10:13,15 - [Proud] saith, "By (my) strength...I have done it." Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth?
Jer.9:23,24 - Let not...the mighty man glory in his might...but glory in this, that he knoweth Me
Acts 12:21-23 - The angel of the Lord smote (Herod), because he gave not God the glory
E. Sometimes the Lord Himself wants to do the whole thing:
Exo.14:13,14 - Stand still, & see the salvation of the Lord...Lord shall fight for you, & ye shall hold your peace
Judg.7:all - [Gideon & his 300 let God fight the battle His way]
2Chr.20:15 - Be not afraid...the battle is not yours, but God's
2Chr.20:17 - Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: stand ye still, & see the salvation of the Lord
Neh.4:20 - Our God shall fight for us
Psa.18:17 - He delivered me from my strong enemy...for they were too strong for me
Isa.30:7 - Their strength is to sit still
A. Warnings against trusting in your own strength:
Psa.52:5-7a - God shall destroy...the man that made not God his strength
Psa.118:8,9 - It is better to trust in the Lord than...in man
Psa.146:3 - Put not your trust in...princes, nor in...men, in whom there is no help
Jer.9:23,24 - Let not...the mighty man glory in his might...but glory... that he knoweth Me, that I am the Lord
Jer.17:5 - Cursed be man that trusteth in man, & maketh flesh his arm, & whose heart departeth from the Lord
Jn.15:4,5 - Without Me ye can do nothing
(See also Isa.31:3)
B. What happens when you rely on your own strength & plans:
2Chr.26:16 - When he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord
Hos.10:13 - Ye have reaped iniquity...because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men
1Cor.10:12 - Him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall
(See also 1Sam.15:1-28; 28:4-25; 31:1-8 re: Saul.)
C. He will deliberately let you fail:
Lev.26:18-20 - If ye will not...hearken...I will break your power...your strength shall be spent in vain
Num.14:41-45 - Go not up, for the Lord is not among you...but they presumed to go up [to battle, & were smitten]
2Chr.16:7 - Because thou relied on the king of Syria, & not on the Lord...the host (is) escaped out of thine hand
(See also 2Chr.25:7,8)
D. Lack of strength often due to sin:
Psa.31:10 - My strength faileth because of mine iniquity
Lev.26:27,36,37 - I will send a faintness into (your) hearts...& ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies
Josh.7:12 - (They) could not stand before their enemies...because they were accursed
Judg.2:13-15 - They forsook the Lord...(His) anger was against Israel...they could not stand before their enemies
(See also Amos 2:13-15)
A. Power comes from the Holy Spirit:
Acts 1:8 - Ye shall receive power (when) the Holy Ghost is come upon you: & ye shall be witnesses
Mic.3:8 - I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord...to declare to Israel his sin
Jn.6:63 - It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing
Acts 4:8,13 - Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost...they saw the boldness of Peter
Acts 4:31,33 - They were filled with the Holy Ghost...& with great power gave the apostles witness
1Thes.1:5 - For our gospel came unto you...in power
2Tim.1:7 - God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power
B. No man can stand up to the power of God's Spirit:
Lk.21:15 - I will give you a mouth...which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay (contradict) nor resist
Jer.5:14 - I will make My Words in thy mouth fire, & people wood
Acts 6:10 - They were not able to resist the wisdom & the spirit by which he (Stephen) spake
2Cor.10:4 - The weapons of our warfare are... mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds
C. It has to be by God's power:
1Cor.1:18 - The preaching of the cross...is the power of God
1Cor.2:4,5 - My preaching was...in...the Spirit & power: That your faith should...stand...in the power of God
1Cor.4:20 - The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power
(See also Lk.4:14)
D. God can use you even when you're weak:
Gal.4:13,14 - [Paul witnessed to & won the Galatians even though suffering infirmity in the flesh]
E. God can take over & powerfully use you:
Exo.4:10-12 - I am not eloquent...I am slow of speech. The Lord said, "I will be with thy mouth, & teach thee"
Jer.1:6-9 - I cannot speak. Lord said, "Whatsoever I command thee...speak. I have put My Words in thy mouth"
Mat.10:20 - For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit...which speaketh in you (See also Mk.13:11; Lk.12:12.)
Acts 4:13 - They...perceived (Peter & John) were...ignorant men, they took knowledge...that they had been with Jesus
(See also 1Sam.10:6)
A. For your spiritual battles, defending the faith:
Jude 3b - Ye should earnestly contend for the faith
2Cor.10:3-5 - We do not war after (in) the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God
(See also 1Cor.10:11)
B. If you must physically defend your loved ones or country:
Lk.11:21 - When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace
Jn.10:11 - The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep
C. Fleshly "might" is no match for the power of God:
1Sam.17:45 - Thou (Goliath) comest to me with a sword, & with a spear...but I come to thee in the name of the Lord
2Chr.32:8 - With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord to help us, & to fight our battles
Psa.9:19,20 - Lord, let not man prevail...put them in fear: that (they) may know themselves to be but men
Isa.31:3 - The Egyptians are men & not God...when the Lord shall stretch out His hand...they all shall fail
(See also Hos.1:7)
D. They may seem strong, but their strength has departed:
Num.14:9 - Neither fear the people...for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them
Jer.46:17 - Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise; he hath passed the time appointed [his time is up]
E. God decides the outcome, not physical, carnal might:
1Sam.2:4 - The bows of the mighty men are broken, [whereas] they that stumbled are girded with strength
2Chr.25:8 - God hath power to help, & to cast down
Psa.33:16 - There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength
Psa.33:17 - An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength
Psa.35:10 - The Lord deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him
Psa.44:3-7 - They got not the land...by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but Thy arm
F. You are not to trust in fleshly might to fight your foes:
2Ki.18:21 - Thou trusteth upon...this bruised reed...on which if a man lean, it will (pierce) his hand
Psa.44:5,6 - Through Thee will we push down our enemies: I will not trust in...my sword (to) save me
Isa.31:1 - Woe to them that go to Egypt for help...because they are very strong; but look not unto...the Lord
G. You are not to fear the power of man:
Deut.3:22 - Ye shall not fear them: the Lord shall fight for you
Psa.27:1-3 - Of whom shall I be afraid? Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear
Psa.118:6 - The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Pro.29:25 - The fear of man bringeth a snare
Isa.2:22 - Cease (fearing) man, whose breath is in his nostrils
Isa.51:12,13 - (Why) art thou...afraid of a man that shall die...as grass; & forgettest the Lord thy Maker
Jer.1:8 - Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord
Lk.12:4,5 - Be not afraid of them that kill the body
H. God is on your side & you shall win:
Deut.20:1 - When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, be not afraid...for the Lord thy God is with thee
Deut.20:4 - Lord [will] fight...against your enemies, to save you
Deut.31:8 - The Lord...doth go before thee; He will be with thee
1Sam.17:47 - Battle is the Lord's, He will give you into our hands
Psa.108:13 - Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies
Rom.8:31 - If God be for us, who can be against us?
(See also 2Chr.14:11,12; 20:12-25; Zeph.3:17.)
I. The armies of Heaven are on your side:
2Ki.6:14-17 - [Elisha said,] They that be with us are more than they that be with them
2Chr.32:7,8,21 - [Hezekiah said,] There be more with us than with him
Mat.26:52,53 - [God would] give Me more than 12 legions of angels
(See also Josh.5:13,14; Psa.68:17; 91:11; Isa.37:33-36.)
J. You become far more powerful than your adversaries:
1Jn.4:4 - Greater is He that is in you, than he...in the world
Josh.1:5 - There shall not any man be able to stand before thee
Josh.23:9,10 - One shall chase a thousand, for God fighteth for you
(See also Deut.11:25; 28:7.)
K. God can help you win against overwhelming odds:
1Sam.14:6 - No restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few
2Chr.14:11 - Lord, it is nothing with Thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power
2Chr.16:8,9a - A huge host...because thou didst rely on the Lord, He delivered them into thine hand
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family International