IN THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD

PSALMS 71:1

A. "I WILL GO IN THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD GOD"
  1. A New Year:
    1. One of the artificial advantages of a new year is that it enables us to regard the commencement of each year as a time for a new beginning
    2. It is the stimulus of a fresh start
  2. As from a mountain peak:
    1. We are enabled to look out into the future illuminated with newborn hope
    2. And to set afresh with quickened footsteps on our journey B. THE END OF A YEAR IS
  3. A time for an inventory for each one of us:
    1. To check losses and gains
    2. To determine the major factors which contributed to either losses or gains
    3. And to seek a remedy for our failures
    4. To make new resolutions and plans for a New Year; which means new opportunities, new hopes and new ventures into the unknown
  4. A noteworthy resolve:
    1. Not to allow failures and difficulties of the past to dishearten us in life's venture
    2. But to make every shortcoming a stepping stone to adventure
    3. That means that we must forget the things which are behind us, and reach out unto the things which are before us - Phil. 3:13
    4. "No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" - Luke 9:62
  5. The key to our new resolves and the hope of its success:
    1. It is not, cannot, be found in ourselves; we are at best "unprofitable servants" - Luke 17:10
    2. "For without me ye can do nothing" - John 15:5
    3. It is in the strength of the Lord - Examples: Paul's testimony - Phil. 4:13; 2:12-13; David's assurance to God's people - Ps. 29:11; Deuteronomy assures us of help - Deut. 33:25 C. NOTE THE IMPLICATIONS OF GOING FORTH IN THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD
  6. It means that we submit and surrender all our plans to Him:
    1. "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass" - Ps. 37:5
    2. We will pray, "Not my will but thine be done" - Matt. 26:39
    3. The reason is most obvious, God's ways are not our ways - Is. 55:8-9
    4. Our own way would lead us astray - Is. 53:6; Ps. 119:67; 176
  7. It means that we shall be under the complete control of the Holy Spirit:
    1. "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" - Gal. 5:16-18
    2. "Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit, saith the Lord" - Zech. 4:6
  8. It means that the Holy Spirit will actually dwell in our mortal bodies - I Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19
  9. The Bible will be our constant guide:
    1. "Send out Thy light and Thy truth; let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacle" - Ps. 43:3
    2. "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." - 2 Tim. 3:15-17
  10. Prayer, fervent prayer, continued prayer is a must for receiving daily strength to live a successful Christian life:
    1. Some one has rightly said, "More prayer, more power; less prayer - less power"
    2. Prayer is the key to a close relationship with God; Examples: All men of power were men of prayer, including Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Daniel, Paul and a host of others. Even the Son of God devoted much of His life on earth to earnest and prevailing prayer to His heavenly Father
  11. Let us begin the New Year with a closer relationship with God and we shall never fail to obtain the great object namely to live to the glory of God


Design © John Bryant 2011