“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
Day 9
Discovering Strength After We Take the Step
Many people spend their lives wondering how they would survive tragedy, loss, disappointment, or overwhelming responsibility.
We look at difficult situations and think, “I could never handle that.” And perhaps, with the strength we have today, we could not.
But the truth is simple:
We do not possess today’s grace for tomorrow’s challenges.
God supplies strength as we need it.
Not before.
Not after.
Exactly when it is required.
Isaiah beautifully reminds us,
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…” (Isaiah 40:31)
Notice that God does not promise the absence of weariness.
He promises renewed strength.
Sometimes, however, we do not discover that strength until God asks us to move.
Peter did not experience the miracle while sitting safely in the boat. He had to put one foot over the side and step onto the water.
Joshua did not see the Jordan River part while standing safely on the shore. God instructed the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant to step into the overflowing river first.
Only then did the waters stop.
In both situations, obedience came before evidence.
That is often how God works in our lives.
We want God to show us the entire plan before we move. We want confirmation that everything will work out, reassurance that we will not fail, and evidence that we have enough strength to handle whatever comes next.
But God may simply say, “Trust Me and take the next step.”
The strength we are looking for may be waiting on the other side of our obedience.
The courage may come after we say yes.
The provision may appear after we begin.
The wisdom may come after we accept the assignment.
The door may open after we start walking toward it.
We sometimes underestimate ourselves because we measure our future challenges against our present strength. But God never intended for us to face tomorrow with today’s supply. When tomorrow arrives, fresh grace will arrive with it.
Faith is not believing after the evidence appears.
Faith is obeying before the evidence appears.
Our comfort wants certainty.
God asks for trust.
And when we trust Him enough to move, we often discover something remarkable: God has placed within us, and made available to us through Him, far more strength than we ever knew we had.
Questions to Consider
- Where is God asking me to take a step of faith?
- Am I waiting for certainty when God is asking for trust?
- What past experience reminds me that God will give me strength when I need it?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that I do not have to possess tomorrow’s strength today. When You call me to step forward, give me the courage to trust You even when I cannot see what comes next. Help me obey before I have all the answers and believe that Your grace will meet me exactly where I need it. When fear tells me to stay comfortable, remind me that You are already ahead of me. Renew my strength, increase my faith, and help me take the next step with confidence in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
