Strength can be defined as the quality or state of being strong, the capacity for exertion or endurance, the power to resist force or attack, solidity, durability and toughness. It can also be defined as the ability to do things that need lots of physical and mental effort. It can be said to be mental power or vigour. The quality that helps one persevere through adversity or something they find difficult. It is the power to resist strain and stress, etc.
Unfailing can be defined as without error or fault, always reliable or constant, not failing, not giving way, not falling short of expectations, completely dependable, inexhaustible, endless, certain, unceasing, not liable to failure, unchanging, etc.
Strength is something that everyone desires, as it helps us to function. It is an important thing to have, as nothing in life seems to be constant. Having strength will help one to adapt to situations in life and persevere through difficult circumstances until solutions come. In general, human strength increases from childhood and peak at a particular age, after which strength starts to diminish.
The truth of the matter is that strength does fail. Whether it is physical strength or mental strength, both can fail due to various factors or reasons. There is however a kind of strength that does not fail – Divine strength or supernatural strength (Psalms 20:6-8). Whenever physical and or mental strength is challenged or threatened, supernatural strength can save the person.
In I Kings 18: 17-40, a contest ensued between Prophet Elijah on one side and 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah on the other side. They were to set their sacrifices on their altars without putting any fire. They were then to command fire to come upon the sacrifice by praying to their deity. The deity that would answer by sending fire was to be regarded as God. At the end of the contest, it was the God of Prophet Elijah that sent down fire. All the people then acclaimed that “The Lord, He is God”. Elijah then commanded the 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah to be executed in order to cleanse the land.
When the news of what happened got to Queen Jezebel, who was the Grand Matron of the 850 prophets, she was very angry and she vowed to kill Elijah within 24 hours. When Elijah received her threat, he took his servant with him and ran far away from Jezreel. He went to the wilderness, leaving his servant behind and asked God to take his life (I Kings 19:1-4).
Here, it was vivid that the physical and mental strength of Elijah was threatened to the extent that it buckled. God however granted him supernatural strength, such that he was able to go back and confronted his fears, completed his assignment, fulfilled his destiny, appointed his successor, and he was able to enjoy a glorious exit from the earth (I Kings 19:5-21; 2 Kings 2:1-11).
As we prepare for the eleventh month of this year, what God impressed upon my heart is that He has granted us the unfailing strength to end the year 2023. His promise to us is that our strength will not wane, fail nor cease. God will bless us with the capacity for endurance. He will grant us the power to resist any force or attack (physical and spiritual). He will help us to withstand any strain or stress. God will rejuvenate our vigour and might. He will endue us with supernatural abilities to accomplish all that is required of us to do before this year ends. May the zeal of the Lord of hosts fulfill these in Jesus mighty name.