There is no one fact of greater importance to the Christian than that God is his strength. And next in importance to the fact itself is a constant, unwavering and practical faith in it, so that we may ever avail ourselves of it. It is a fact which fully recognizes our own weakness. We are weak in ourselves, not only in that our strength is as nothing compared with that of God, or even of angels; but in that the evil elements within us are stronger than the good. Even a regenerated man not unfrequently realizes that of himself and in his own strength he could not become master over his depraved passions, appetites and propensities. This is the first important point in this lesson tat we have to learn. Otherwise while we are watching the enemies that are without we may fall a prey to those that are within.

      We are also weak compared with the strength of our enemies. They are in themselves and in their purposes of evil stronger than we are in ourselves and in our purposes of good; and they are stronger in the conflict against us than we are against them. They have also this great advantage: They have nothing to defend, nothing to lose; we have our all to defend and to save or lose. An enemy that has no interest to guard is always stronger, other things being equal. Of our comparative weakness in the conflict with the enemies with which we have to contend we have a clear statement by Paul. He says: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Whatever these expressions may specifically mean, they doubtless were intended to convey an idea of the number and strength and cunning of our adversaries in the spiritual warfare.

      They also seem to combine against us individually, so that in a sense each one of us has to contend against them all. Hence the greater danger, and, also, the greater glory of the victory if we fight the good fight of faith to the end. A partial provision against this combination of spiritual powers is made in the institution of the church, and in Christian fellowship. We as Christians can thus combine our efforts and our strength, and thus we can become more nearly a match for our enemies. Indeed, if Christian people could all bring themselves into such a relationship to one another and into such intimate, thorough and vital union with each other as is contemplated in the Scriptures. the contest would not be so unequal after all. And this in great part was, no doubt, the design of the relationship which we are to seek to maintain with one another.

      And yet we are not strong enough by ourselves however we may combine and work together. Our great enemy, or the source of our weakness, still remains within us. What were all our enemies without had we not this marvelous susceptibility to temptation? And in this, our weakness, lies the strength of our enemies as against us. So that there is no hope of victory unless we can find some one who may become our strength, and who is completely invulnerable. And we have such a one in God who "is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need."

      Of the fact that God is not only strong, and stronger than all powers of evil, but that he may become our strength there can be no doubt. The testimony of inspiration is clear and emphatic. In scores of instances does Israel's sweet singer warble forth this precious truth. He sings it not alone for himself as his individual faith and experience, but he has taught all believing hearts to chord with him in the symphonies of this grandest song. The prophets too had this same rich knowledge; and the writers of the New Scriptures have gone even so far as to say, for God, "My strength is made perfect in weakness."

      Do we doubt this? Theoretically no one disputes his own weakness, the strength of his adversaries, the infinitely superior strength of his God, and the fact that God is his believer's strength. And yet how seldom do these facts enter into our personal experience to the extent that we would have reason to expect that they would. One reason of this fact is, that, after all, our views of God are either not clearly correct, or our convictions not as deep as they should be. Knowledge must precede faith; a correct apprehension of what God is, and what he is to us is largely the condition upon which to realize it in ourselves. But when we come to a clear apprehension of these things, then we can believe, and realize the facts believed. So true and essential is this that Christ hinges everything, in one place, upon knowledge. For he says that to know God, and Jesus Christ whom God has sent, is eternal life.

      As a man's thoughts are so is he. That is, in reference to God, correct knowledge and truth faith will make God to us what he is represented to be, and so secure that character in us which is in harmony with God's character. Now let us know God as our strength, just as he is presented to us in his word, and let us believe thus in him and we shall realize that we can do all things through him. It is a blessed fact which is thus revealed unto us. It is our only hope for the unending future. We have priceless interests at stake. Heaven is to be gained or lost, and in that word heaven is included all that is worth living and striving for. But strive as we may, in our own strength we can never gain it. Were we left thus without help, and the responsibility of our weakness attributable to another, we could receive no blame for the failure. But it is no so. For while we are too weak in ourselves, and while God does not fight the battle for us or do the work that is committed to us, all strength is within our reach. Of this we may and can avail ourselves. And if we do not, ours will be the fearful and eternal loss. But to us who have believed there is heavenly music in the sweet words of Scripture: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.   *   *   *   *   *   *   The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."

[The Church Advocate 40 (July 7, 1875): 4.]

      Christian H. Forney's "God Our Strength" was first published in The Church Advocate, Vol. 40, No. 10 (July 7, 1875), p. 4. The electronic version has been transcribed from a copy of the article printed from a microfilmed edition of the newspaper held by the State Library of Pennsylvania. Thanks to Adams Memorial Library for arranging for the interlibrary loan, and to St. Vincent College Library for the use of its microfilm reader/printer.

      Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 7 June 1999.
Updated 13 July 2003.