Scripture for Today: Ephesians 3:16 “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, “

My weights are red, not black.  I have the possibility of adding more discs to make them heavier, but I don’t.  I suppose I get some sort of workout when I move them out of the way of the vacuum cleaner.

I know I should be using them to strengthen my arms.  Age is working against me and with sleeveless weather upon us, I should be more motivated.  I feel guilty when I read in Proverbs 31:17 that the virtuous woman strengthens her arms!  Couldn’t I just be content with hauling around heavy grocery bags and overstuffed suitcases?

Our verse for today describes another kind of strengthening; that of the inner person.  It is a strength unseen and given by the Spirit of God.  It is His strength that He shares out of His limitless supply.  I have always wondered why “strength” or “power” is not listed among the fruit of His Spirit in Gal. 5:22-23.  The fruit is the evidence His presence.  In contrast, perhaps the strength of His Spirit is “granted” to us when we pray for it.  The context of this verse is a prayer of Paul’s for the Ephesians.

When I pray for His strength to be developed in me, He is gracious.  He grants it because He is merciful, not because I deserve it.  He gives me strength to stand firm in my faith when circumstances want to weaken it.  He gives me strength to say “no” to temptation.  I know it comes from Him as I am very aware of my weaknesses.  But He does wait for me to realize my need and ask Him.  Lord, how I need Your strength today!