The Source of My Strength to Write the Story

There are those sweet moments when we are stopped in our tracks, in awe of the Spirit of God. This morning brought a sweet reminder that He strengthens our arms and hands as He calls us to use them.

In Dreams She Cries is a story God himself authored. He has called me to complete the manuscript. There I was, just about to climb into bed when I heard in my mind that I was to write more about the the second character in the story, which is based on true accounts of my life. The two women have more in common than either of them realize and this is to be shared rather than focusing solely on the main character.

Their inevitable meeting was orchestrated in a jail cell which was foretold through divine intervention only days before. As I was reminded of that moment, I was reminded of emotions of shame. I had only shared it with one other person, ever. I now understand it is a significant piece of the story meant to be told. I no longer live in shame but in giving glory to God.

As I climbed into bed, I stopped and wondered how I would find the emotional strength to write this piece...this chapter. Then there is the physical strength, as I have recently been stricken with inflammation in my neck and shoulder.

My morning devotional called my name and was truly a sweet whisper from the Lord, with blessed encouragement to march on. He is the source of my strength.

"His bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob." Genesis 49:24 

That strength which God gives to His Josephs is real strength; it is not a boasted valor, a fiction, a thing of which men talk but which ends in smoke; it is true divine strength. Why does Joseph stand  against temptation? Because God gives him aid. There is nothing that we can do without the power of God. All true strength comes from the 'mighty God of Jacob'. 

Notice in what a blessedly familiar way God gives this strength to Joseph, "The arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob". Thus God is represented as putting HIS hands on Joseph's hands, placing HIS arms on Joseph's arms. Like as a father teaches his children, so the Lord teaches those who fear Him. He puts His arms upon them! Marvelous condescension! God Almighty, Eternal, Omnipotent, stoops from His throne and lays His hand upon the child's hand, stretching His arm upon the arm of Joseph, that he may be made strong! 

This strength was also covenant strength, for it is ascribed to "the mighty God of Jacob". Now, wherever you read of the God of Jacob in the Bible, you should remember the covenant with Jacob. Christians love to think of God's covenant. All the power, all the grace, all the blessings, all the mercies, all the comforts, all the things we have, flow to us from the well-head, through the covenant. If there were no covenant, then we would fail indeed; for all grace proceeds from it, as light and heat from the sun.  No angels ascend or descend, except upon that ladder which Jacob saw, at the top of which stood a covenant God.  Christian, it may be that the archers have sorely grieved you, and shot at you, and wounded you...but still your bow abides in strength; be sure, then, to ascribe all the glory to Jacob's God!