Do you have a favorite quote posted somewhere to inspire you to be strong, to be confident, to be bold? Well, 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 mightily for God in challenging situations in life. All of them were recorded for us by God in His written Word. Let’s look at five of these quotes and a brief background for each. These statements of truth 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, 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 hardened his heart 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. They could see no possible way out of the situation.
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. And He did! 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, never to bother these children of Israel again. God had made a way where there seemed to be no way.
“…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 down flat and they went in and took the city (Joshua 6:20). God’s solution was brought to pass!
“…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, 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!
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Paul detailed our complete redemption in the first eight chapters of Romans, culminating in the great truths of the previous verse—we were called by God, justified by God, and glorified by God. With all that God has made us to be in Christ Jesus, with our justification and righteousness having already been accomplished, Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions starting in Romans 8:31 to drive home the point that our redemption is complete.
“What shall we then say to these things?” What things? All the great truth unveiled in Romans! “If God be for us, who can be against us?” If God Himself has called us, justified us, glorified us—how can anyone successfully be against us? The victory has already been accomplished. We are redeemed. We are righteous. We are sanctified. We are just. Who can be against us! 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 quotable quotes that fill the Scriptures. Moses’ quote reminds us that God makes a way where there seems to be no way. Joshua’s quote brings to mind that as a team we can push through 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 those fearless believing examples that will encourage others. Jesus’ quote prompts us to remember to believe even in the face of the most difficult challenges. And Paul’s quote sums it up for any situation we may face—if God be for us, who can be against us? Perhaps you would like to add these powerful quotes from God’s Word to your collection to remind you that in whatever challenges you find yourself, you can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!