DEVOTION – DAY 459

1 Chronicles 16:11 “Turn To God For Strength”

1 Chronicles 16:11 “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”

The writer of 1 Chronicles was addressing his audience who were Jews returning to Israel after many years spent in exile. To the returning Jews, they had many doubts in their minds. Having spent so many years away in exile, was God still interested in them? Were they still God’s people and can they still claim God’s covenants with them? They knew that God had judged them for their disobedience by allowing them to be exiled in Babylon and other nations. God had also allowed the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Where did they stand with God now, that they were allowed to return to Israel? 

In 1 Chronicles 16, the writer gave assurances quoting from Psalm 106 to remind the Jews of God’s faithfulness in the past, and that He will remember His covenants forever (1 Chron.16:15-17), and that they should always look towards the Lord for their strength because He is faithful. He had faithfully drawn them back to the Promised Land from their exile.

In the same way, we need the same encouragement today. We also face uncertainties. The proposed removal of petrol subsidies will bring about another round of higher prices. Inflation will rise and average income may not be able to keep up with rising prices. Will God provide for us as He had done so in the past? Will our jobs be secure as people face threats from e-commerce and the rising use of artificial intelligence? Will Christians face greater persecution as radical Islamists threaten to gain more political power in many countries? Will God enable Christians to persevere in the face of such threats? 1 Chron.16:11 reminds us to look to God and His strength, and seek His face always. God is eternal, He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He is with us. He is for us and He will never desert us. 

We know someone who had allowed her financial difficulties to distract her walk with God. She was so busy making ends meet that she neglected her time with God. Then, she discovered she had cancer. She was shattered and she turned to God to cry out to Him. She turned to verses like 1 Chron.16:11 to draw strength from the Lord. She found the strength to persevere and undergo rounds of chemotherapy. She learnt to trust God for her daily provisions. As a result, her walk with God deepened.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you as our eternal mighty God. You are always faithful and loving. Please help us to look to you always for our strength and enablement. We pray in the great name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. How does the fact that God is eternal and being our source of strength comfort you? Share.
  2. What are some challenges you see ahead of you where you will need strengthening from the Lord? Share.
  3. How has God strengthened you in the past?
  4. Why is trusting God in tough times better than trusting in other resources like friends, connections etc?