“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10).

When I was a child, I used to watch the cartoon Popeye. He and his wife, Olive Oyl, would always get caught up in some evil plot. Somehow, Popeye would have to save the day. The challenge always looked too tough, and it seemed like he might lose. But then he’d eat a can of spinach, his muscles would grow right away, and he could defeat his enemy, Bluto.

That cartoon is a funny childhood memory, but in real life, we face a true enemy who wants to harm us. We need strength every day to stand against Satan, the enemy of our souls. Turning to our daily “spinach”—the Holy Scripture—gives us what we need to live in victory. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10).

Yes, Satan is a strong enemy, but he has already been defeated. We need to remember that we are not fighting alone. The Holy Ghost lives in every born-again believer and gives us the strength to stand against the attacks the enemy sends our way.

Let’s look at one of God’s chosen people, Zerubbabel. He was the governor of Judah when the second temple was being built. Many tried to stop the rebuilding, and the opposition was strong. It’s easy to imagine that Zerubbabel, being human, thought the task was impossible.

But God sent a word of encouragement, with His assurance and power, to enable Zerubbabel to complete the task. Zechariah 4:6 states, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”

It was not in the strength of Zerubbabel, but the strength and power of the Lord that the temple would be completed! Zerubbabel’s continued faith and obedience to God were all that was needed…God did the rest!  

As born-again believers, as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, may we also rest in the assurance that our strength and power come from the Lord of Hosts! 

Facing opposition and even what we feel like failure sometimes… teaches us to rely on God, who is omnipotent and not through with us yet. What He has begun in us, He will complete! 

We’re in a spiritual warfare, my friends. But by faith we can rely on God’s grace, mercy, and faithfulness in and through it all. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:3-5). 

God is the All-Sufficient One, and His word is faithful and true throughout all generations. We are safe in His everlasting arms.  

When the challenges of life seem insurmountable, we can find comfort and encouragement in the words of Philippians 4:13, which remind us: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  

Don’t ever allow the enemy to whisper that you’re down for the count and defeated, because in the Power of our Christ we have the v-i-c-t-o-r-y!

God bless you, and stay strong in the Lord!