Olympic Faith

By Pastor Johnny R. Almond

Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again.

O God, please strengthen me one more time…”

Judges 16:28 NLT

You frequently pay Me lip service, but your heart is not always in the words. Your religious motions are sometimes steel-cold and robotic. Compulsively ritualistic, you are sometimes careless in relationships. Attempting holiness, you neglect honesty. Philosophizing about faith, you practice faithlessness. It may hurt you to admit it, but in some ways you forget Me. But I never forget you. I have been unfailingly faithful to you day after day. My covenant love never cools. Even now—if you earnestly pray and seek My face, I will be attentive to you and give you a fresh start.

The secret of Samson’s legendary power was his vow of strict separation from evil and dedication of all the forces of his nature to Me. When he abrogated his vow, he became a helpless weakling. Though foolish because of his demoralizing love affairs, he demonstrated faith in Me, and so I hung his portrait in My hall of heroes. When he returned to Me, I reenergized him to perform superhuman feats. Desperate humility brought the house down!

I am the Secret of moral strength. Godless, you are weak. Connected by faith to Me, you are strong. Help does not come from the mountains, but from the Mountain-Maker—the Architect and Builder of heaven and earth. I direct traffic patterns of galaxies, orchestrate life, and assist you. Invisible hands keep Earth in proper orbit in its annual trip around the sun—I hold you together through every year of your life.

You can resist temptation and survive any situation by an infusion of My power. My might at work in your inner being accomplishes infinitely more than you dare pray or dream. Reinforced by My strength, you are ready for anything that life brings! Day by day, hour by hour, heartbeat by heartbeat—I keep you strong. Never forget you need Me. Lean on My everlasting arms, and I will give you response-ability for responsibility. Do not wish for easier circumstances; pray for stronger character.

The route back to vitality is profoundly simple—pray and believe. Link to the Ultimate Power Source and regain strength to soar like a majestic eagle above earth’s worries on wings of trust and obedience. Make the international athletic motto—“Swifter, Higher, Stronger”—yours. Run swifter than the tempter. Fly higher than the temporal. Walk stronger than the timid. Exercise Olympic faith!

Johnny R. Almond

Pastor, Hull’s Memorial Baptist Church – Friends on a Journey of Faith

Author, Gentle Whispers from Eternity—book available on Amazon

http://GentleWhispersFromEternity–ScripturePersonalized.com/

devotional based on day 129 of Gentle Whispers from Eternity