God Is AbleSample

God Is Able to Strengthen the Heart

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14–19)

The cream of Napoleon's army was the Imperial Guard, often called the Old Guard. This highly selective unit only accepted soldiers who had already demonstrated skill and courage in battle. The soldiers of the Old Guard were deeply committed to the emperor who returned their affection, referring to them as “my children.”

The story goes that in one battle with enemy forces advancing, Napoleon was forced to order a retreat. But when he told the bugler to sound retreat, the man protested that he did not know that tune. He had never had to play it before. Napoleon insisted that he play something, so the man played the notes signaling a charge. Thinking they had received reinforcements and were being ordered to attack, the men of the Old Guard took heart, surged forward, and won the victory.

As children of God, we are never truly alone, and we are never without hope or help. Even when it seems we are outnumbered, God is always there. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

The path to victory is not avoiding trouble, for that is impossible in our fallen world. The path to victory is having our hearts strengthened and renewed again and again by the power of God. The more we know Him and rely on Him, the stronger we will be in our walk and work for Him.

Today’s Takeaway: Because God is able to strengthen the inner man, we do not fight in our own strength, but in His.