The Scriptures are filled with powerful truths we can quote to remind us to “…be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” as Ephesians 6:10 directs. Many of them were spoken by men and women who stood strong for God in challenging situations in life. This article looks at five of these quotes and gives a brief background for each. Each quote will remind us that in whatever challenges we find ourselves, we can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Fear Ye Not
…Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord….
—Exodus 14:13
By God’s power, the Pharaoh finally allowed the children of Israel to leave Egypt (Exodus 12:31; 13:3), and God led them to camp by the sea (Exodus 14:2). But Pharaoh grew hateful and pursued after them. With the sea on one side and Pharaoh’s army on the other, it seemed to the children of Israel that there was nowhere to go and that they would surely die.
Moses told them, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” He reminded them that God was on their side and that He would fight for them. By God’s power the sea was parted and the children of Israel crossed on dry ground. When the Egyptians tried to pursue, they drowned, and the threat to the children of Israel was gone. God had made a way when there seemed to be no way.
The Wall of Jericho
…Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.
—Joshua 6:16
The children of Israel were ready to start claiming the Promised Land by first claiming the city of Jericho, which was surrounded by a great wall. God showed Joshua how to claim the city, and following Joshua’s instructions, the children of Israel moved as a team, each man doing his part. Joshua gave them several commands to carry out for six days.
On the seventh day Joshua gave them the command to “Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.” When they followed his instructions, the wall of Jericho fell flat and they went in and took the city (Joshua 6:20). God’s solution was brought to pass.
David and Goliath
…Let no man’s heart fail because of him [Goliath];
thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
—I Samuel 17:32
When David visited his brothers in battle, he found the entire army being taunted by the Philistine giant, Goliath. These men had become gripped by fear and unbelief, as was their king, Saul. It was an environment of fear with no one to lead them out of it.
David knew that God could and would deliver them if they took believing action, and he saw that he could lead the way by fighting Goliath. Confident that God would back him up, David told King Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” David killed Goliath, and the armies of Israel went from fearful inaction to courageous action and defeated the Philistines.
Be Not Afraid
…Be not afraid, only believe.
—Mark 5:36
Jesus Christ was accompanying a man named Jairus who had asked him to come and heal his very sick daughter. As they walked, they received the heart-wrenching news that the girl had died. Before this terrible news came, Jairus had been taking believing action to get deliverance in this difficult situation. When he heard of his daughter’s death, Jairus could have been struck with fear and alarmed to the point of unbelief.
But as soon as Jesus heard the news, he told Jairus, “Be not afraid, only believe.” He encouraged Jairus to believe in spite of the circumstances. And when they arrived, Jesus Christ raised his daughter from the dead.
God Is for Us
What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us, who can be against us?
—Romans 8:31
With all that God has made us to be in Christ Jesus, Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions in Romans 8:31-35 to drive home the point that our redemption is complete.
“If God be for us, who can be against us?” If God Himself has called us, how can anyone successfully be against us? The victory has already been accomplished. We are redeemed. Recognizing that the victory is already ours helps us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
These are just five of the quotes that fill the Scriptures. Moses’ quote reminds us that God makes a way where there seems to be no way. Joshua’s quote shows that as a team we can push to the finish, knowing that God has already given us the victory and that His solution will be brought to pass. David’s confession of confident believing helps us to remember to be fearless believing examples that will encourage others. Jesus’ quote prompts us to believe even in the face of the most difficult challenges. And Paul’s quote applies to any situation. If God is for us, who can be against us? Whatever challenges you find yourself in, you can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.