Mensa Otabil - God Is My Strength (10/11/2025)
Psalm 73, verse 26: My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. When we come to the end of our strength, we try to do what we can do. We do our best in any endeavor, and when we come to the end of ourselves, we have to remember that God has not come to the end of Himself.
The story is told of a young boy who is sitting by his father, trying to move a very big stone. He is heaving against the stone, trying so hard, grunting, but the stone is not moving. It is far superior to him. The father is sitting by, watching him struggle to move this stone. Then the father asks him, «Son, are you using all your strength?» He replies, «Yes, Dad, I’m using all my strength. I’m doing everything I can.» The father says, «No, you’re not using all your strength.» The boy insists, «I’m using all my strength!» The father replies, «You haven’t asked me to help you.» Part of the strength of the boy is the father’s strength. It’s not just what you can do by yourself; it’s what God can help you to do.
Learn from the story. Many times we try our best. It’s good to be hard-working, diligent, and to put in effort. We do everything with so much of our own effort, and we think, «I’ve done my best; this is going to work.» But it’s not working. Have you considered that perhaps you haven’t asked God to help you? You haven’t asked Him to give you wisdom; you haven’t asked Him to open that door for you. You’ve tried your best to make all the phone calls, but perhaps it’s time to say, «Lord, help me and open this door for me.» Or, «Lord, help me and let this person treat me well.» God is our help, but He must not just be our help watching us; He must be our help that we trust.
Many times, we find ourselves surrounded by enemies, problems, hardships, and difficulties. Some of these challenges can be far bigger and more profound than we are. You look at the problem you’re supposed to fight, and it' s far bigger than yourself — like a human being fighting a dinosaur. This challenge is so huge, and you can’t manage it by yourself. Yes, you can try your best, but in that moment when you realize this rock is bigger than you, this dinosaur is far beyond your strength, call on God. He is by your side and with you; if you call on Him, He will help you.
The psalmist says, «My flesh and my heart fail.» In other words, «I have no courage; I have no strength; I have lost it; I’m tired.» But God says, «But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.» When your heart is failing, God is the strength of your heart. When your hands fail, He is the strength of your hands. When your feet fail, He is the strength of your feet. When your thoughts fail, He is the strength of your thoughts, and He will guide you. But don’t just let Him watch you; call upon Him, ask Him for help, and the Lord will assist you.
So today, turn around and look at all the battles you’re fighting in life-all the things you’re trying to resolve. Ask yourself: Have I truly brought God onto the scene? I’m not just saying that you prayed casually, «God, help me, God, help me, God, help me,» but have you really presented your case before the Lord properly, asking for specific help in specific areas where you need His assistance? If you haven’t, take time, take a pause, go to the Lord. He is your strength, and He will help you.
Let’s pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, You are my strength. I need Your help to overcome all my battles. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.