To be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, we must rely on God's strength, which He provides through His Spirit and the armor He supplies. This strength is not about our own efforts alone, nor is it solely God's action without our involvement; it is a perfect blending of His power and our activity. We are called to exert ourselves with all our might, yet it is God who empowers us, and we must increasingly learn to depend on that power. To withstand the attacks of powerful evil, we must actively use every piece of His armor and engage in prayer to activate God's strength within us. Although victory is assured, we must engage in the struggle against satan until Christ returns, as the enemy constantly battles those on the Lord's side. We need supernatural power to defeat satan, and God has provided this through His Holy Spirit within us and His armor surrounding us. We are to put on this armor individually and as a unified family, standing together against the rulers of the darkness of this world. Christ strengthens us, as seen in the example of Paul, who declared he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him. Paul did not become a passive spectator; he was actively involved, yet it was Christ's power infused in him that enabled his efforts. Similarly, we do not relinquish our role; we fight, and Christ aids us, helping us carry our burdens without taking them entirely from us. His grace is sufficient, enabling us to continue even in weakness, for when we are weak, then we are strong in the Lord. The joy of the Lord is our strength, energizing us spiritually to face challenges and overcome discouragement. This joy, rooted in our identity as children of God, lifts us above difficult circumstances, allowing us to triumph as more than conquerors. Assurance of salvation is crucial; without confidence in our relationship with God, we cannot stand against supernatural influences. By God's promise, we are made strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, and we must respond actively to His call, growing in grace and producing the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives. Recognizing who we are as God's children empowers us to resist fear and deception, as exemplified by Ezra and Nehemiah, who stood firm in their faith despite threats and challenges. This saving faith and knowledge of our identity in God are the foundation of being strong in the Lord. After every trial and crisis, may we be able to say that the Lord stood with us and strengthened us, so we could be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

God always supplies, and He is faithful, ensuring that He will do His part at all times. Yet, as Christians, we must consider our responsibility, small though it may be. We are called to stand firm in the faith, to be vigilant, and to be strong. Through the apostle Paul, we are instructed with a command to be courageous, to act like men, to live with boldness and bravery, regardless of age or gender. This courage is not merely physical but rooted in the convictions of our spiritual life. Paul's words in I Corinthians 16:13-14 deliver four imperatives: watch, stand fast in the faith, be courageous, and be strong. To watch means to remain awake and vigilant, keeping an eye on the world around us and, more importantly, on our spiritual condition. To stand fast in the faith is to remain anchored, persevering in our beliefs. Being courageous calls us to face challenges without fear, and being strong urges us to increase in vigor and faith. These commands can be seen through a military lens, reflecting the imagery of a sentry on guard, alert to any threat, fighting off weakness to protect against an enemy. In our spiritual battle, we face an adversary seeking to destroy us, much like a lone warrior staked to the ground, committed to delay the enemy for the sake of others. We have committed ourselves to give our lives if necessary, standing firm in our convictions. Our Captain has equipped us with these imperatives to carry out our duties. As Christians, we are to embody strength and courage, yet let all that we do be done with love, showing concern for others. This balance of vigilance, faith, courage, and strength, combined with love, is our call to action in a world filled with challenges and corruption.

In these challenging times, we are called to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. This command, issued through the apostle Paul, is a rallying cry to the Christian army facing a formidable enemy. It is not merely a phrase to repeat, but a profound directive to rely on His inherent strength and the manifestation of His power. We must meditate on His might, recognizing that all reserves of strength are found in Him, as demonstrated in His life, miracles, and victory over temptation and death. Our own weakness is evident, as history shows even the greatest saints have faltered before the enemy's power. Yet, we are not to despair, for God's strength is our refuge. His name is a strong tower, and His power enables us to stand against spiritual forces. We are to be strong not just for our own sake, but for His, as representatives of His name and members of His body, reflecting His glory through our steadfastness. To be strong in the Lord, we must first acknowledge our dependence on Him before donning the full armor He provides. This order is significant; strength in Him precedes the equipping for battle. His power, shown in casting out demons and triumphing over the enemy at the cross, is available to us. As we face an evil day, with confusion and sin entrenched in society, we are enabled to withstand and fight, bringing honor to His name. The victory is assured through Him, and we must not trust in our own strength, for self-reliance leads to failure. Instead, by yielding to Him, we experience the power of His resurrection in our lives. Thanks be to God, who keeps on giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, ensuring that He will never leave nor forsake us as we stand firm in His might.