Morning Devotional

December  26, 2005
"Strength for the New Year"           
    by Don Emmitte

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Jesus said to them, "You faithless people! How long must I be with you until you believe? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. "How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father. He replied, "Since he was very small. The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can." "What do you mean, `If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." The father instantly replied, "I do believe, but help me not to doubt!" (Mark 9:19–24 NLT).

One week and the New Year will dawn. For some of you it may come with a wonderful sense of hope and excitement at the prospects that are before you. For others, it may be no more than just another day in a series of seemingly endless days all the same with nothing to excite or pique your interest. There may even be some of you who dread the future and face it with fear and hopelessness. Today’s devotional is really a word for you!

Earl Nightingale tells about a strength test in which people were asked to squeeze a dynamometer (a machine which tests the power of your grip) as hard as they could. After that first squeeze had been measured, they were put under hypnosis and told they were very strong. When asked to grip the machine again, their scores averaged forty percent better. Their physical strength did not increase under hypnosis. But their ability to use that strength did. It wasn't the hypnosis that did it, but their belief about themselves. Once they were convinced they could do it, they were able to draw on all their resources and actually use more of the strength they already possessed.

 

When we are led to believe we are stronger, we react accordingly. There is a sense in which we all go through life "hypnotized" in that a great deal of what we do is determined by what others have told us—and what we have told ourselves—and believed! What we need to do is listen to what God has said in the Scripture, believe that, and act accordingly. As the Apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, NKJV).

If there is one thing I have learned over the years it's that God never calls any of us to do anything that he doesn't empower us to do. So whatever you may be facing today and tomorrow, realize that you have an endless source of strength available to you. You CAN do it! Ask God to help you in your belief today!