“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.“

Ephesians 6:10

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”

Ephesians 1:18-21 

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October 30, 2025

In our Ephesians 6 passage, before there is mention of armor or battle there is a call—an imperative—for strength and power. In a battle, armor does no good if we are out of shape and lacking strength.  

 What does being strong “in the Lord” look like? There is an understood agent: GOD has the strength and power, not us. Some translations make that a bit clearer, stating “be strengthened” by God.

If it was normal for us to always and firstly go to God for strength and power as we ought, maybe Paul wouldn’t have bothered to insist on it. But it’s not always our first inclination, is it? We often have an inflated view of our own strength, underestimate our great need, and our pride drives us to be self-sufficient. Our culture has taught us to view dependence as a bad thing. But Jesus said, “apart from me you can do nothing.” Apart from God we cannot:
 

  • Discern the wisest course of action 
  • Recognize false teaching 
  • Overcome temptation 
  • Avoid being caught up by Satan’s deceits  
  • …and more  

As we strive in our own strength, we may miss signs that we aren’t standing in God’s: a need for control (and frustration at the uncontrollable), exhaustion from carrying burdens, neglected prayer time, defining ourselves by our abilities, and worrying someone may see we don’t have it all together. 

God’s strength is not a football handed off to us by God and then we get to run with it. God’s strength and power is worked in us and through us only as we abide in Him. Everything comes back to that, doesn’t it? His power is at work within us, as we stay in step with Him, abiding, listening, obeying.

Scripture is full of messages declaring God’s strength and power: 

…you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you (Jeremiah 32:17) 

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21) 

Have you thanked God today for his incomparably great power that He extends on behalf of us who believe? 

 Questions for Reflection and Discussion 

  • Has there been a time when you tried to overcome temptation or avoid Satan’s lies in your own power? How has that worked out for you? 
  • What does it mean to you that we believers have access to God’s power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead? 
  • Do you fully believe that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness? (2 Corinthians 12:9) 

 Church Reading Plan: 2 Kings 12; 2 Timothy 2