The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Psalm 28:8

It’s certainly a good thing that God gives us strength, because I don’t know about you, but sometimes life and situations and people just wear me down. Throughout the day we just need to quiet our hearts and ask for strength to make it the next hour or two until we need a good dose of strength again.

Anytime we get a chance to draw near to the Almighty – whether it be because we’re in trouble, need strength, need to get alone, or whatever – God delights in that (…he rescued me because he delighted in me -Psalm 18:19). Why? Because it’s a chance for God to bless and teach and guide and strengthen his children.

In 1987 I spent three months in North Yorkshire England. The base chaplain would open every message with these words:

“Come close to God and He will come close to you.”

I don’t remember much about his messages or much of that trip for that matter, but I remember those words from James 4:8 (including his accent).

Anytime we get a chance to draw near to God, that’s a good thing, is it not?