“For you are my strength.” What indescribable sweetness is found in these few words! How joyfully we can face challenges, and how cheerfully we can endure suffering when we can hold on to God’s strength. A person is truly blessed who has such unmatched power on their side. Our own strength would be of

little help when we’re caught in the nets of deceit, but the Lord’s strength is always available; we need only to ask for it, and we’ll find it close at hand. If we are relying on the strength of the mighty God of Israel by faith, we can use that holy confidence as a powerful plea in our prayers.

We climbed a cold, steep path, shivering in the shadows, but we were encouraged because a cross stood gleaming in the sunlight at the top. As soon as we reached that cross, we were bathed in the warmth of a sunny day. Take heart, poor sinner; press forward

to the cross of Jesus; the sunlight of God’s love is there, and all the warmth of his grace will surround you. Believe and live.