Jesus Strengthens, Sustains, and Saves (May 28. 2024)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

In our human pride and selfishness we often assert our perceived independence and become mired in the myth of our own self-sufficiency. When things are going well and the changing circumstances of our lives happen to be favorable, at least for the moment, we tend to fall for Satan’s deception that we are in complete control of our lives. Consumed by self-centeredness, we make the mistake of trying to depend on our own intelligence and ingenuity, blindly ignoring the fact that we can have and do nothing outside of the providential sovereignty of the loving God who created us, provides for our needs, and sustains our lives down to each life-giving breath that we take. Often when hardships and difficulties come along, we try to fix our problems on our own. Ultimately, however, we must humble ourselves before His throne of grace and trustingly depend upon a merciful God for strength, sustenance, and salvation!

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Shunning self-reliance, we should focus our minds on this wisdom that God gave humanity through Paul: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) In our human frailty, we must allow God’s strength to be manifested in us through the power of His Holy Spirit. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) Scripture teaches that our help comes from the LORD, the giver of every good and perfect gift. In addition to providing strength and sustenance, Jesus is the exclusive source of our salvation. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) We are all sinners in need of a Savior and can do nothing to rescue our own souls. Only by tapping into God’s grace through faith in Christ can we have the greatest gift imaginable, everlasting life!