HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 317
page A315
Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision
concerns a time yet to come.”
This passage is a powerful image of the warfare and resistance in the unseen spiritual world.
More importantly, it shows how your prayers somehow enable God’s power to triumph.
Through prayer and knowing Scripture, tap into God’s powerful defense rather than being
limited by your rational and finite thinking.
How long will opposition to God’s work continue?
• E Z R A 4 :4 -5 | Then the local residents tried to discourage and frighten the people. . . . and
to frustrate their plans [to build the Temple]. (See note on page 418.)
Expecting extended spiritual conflict will lead to careful preparation and patient determination. All the while, we must never forget that, no matter how long the battle, victory belongs
to the Lord.
PROMISE FROM GOD
• E PH E SI A NS 6 :1 1 | Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against
all strategies of the devil.
Stewardship See Accountability; Giving; Leadership; Money
S
Strengths & Weaknesses See also Abilities; Diversity; Maturity;
HelpFinder
Status See Pride; Self-Esteem
Temptation
Without bulging biceps or massive shoulders, a petite, slender woman might not
appear, at first glance, to be physically strong. Then you discover she can run a
marathon in under three hours. A bodybuilder might appear to have great strength
until he demonstrates a weaknesses for drugs or alcohol. The Bible speaks about
this tendency for strengths and weakness to impersonate each other in our lives.
Sometimes the seemingly strong are very weak, and apparent weaknesses disguise
great strengths. The key is not external appearances but internal spiritual character. As
we grow in spiritual maturity we learn to recognize—and admit—our weaknesses, and
to discover—and exercise—our strengths. Every person has both strengths and weaknesses. Thus the presence of weaknesses in ourselves need not trouble us. Rather,
we seek to maximize our strengths and improve, or at least compensate, in our areas
of weakness. We also do well to recognize the temptation to rely on our God-given
strengths instead of the God who gives them, as well as the temptation to give in to
our weaknesses while making excuses that we haven’t the strength to resist. As we
learn about our strengths and weaknesses, we discover how to use both to help us
grow closer to God.
How can I be a strong Christian?
• MA R K 1 4 :3 8 | “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the
spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Be alert to your tendency toward sin. Stay alert to temptation, and pray for God’s strength
to empower you at your points of weakness.
• I SA I A H 5 7 :1 2 | Now I will expose your so-called good deeds. None of them will help you.
• J O H N 1 5 :5 | “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in
them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Placing all your faith in your own strength or in other things becomes a great weakness
because you detach yourself from the greatest source of strength—God. Stay connected
to God, who is your greatest source of strength.