Strength from God

Dr Paul Chappell

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."

John 15:4

In the 1950s, a pastor in Australia was starting a new church, and his home pastor back in the States sent him a letter of encouragement. Part of the letter spoke of how he could have peace amidst the devil's attacks:

"The devil always seeks to take advantage of fatigue or any physical disability and always tries to discourage! His one objective only and always is to separate us from Christ, if he can do that by making us concentrate on ourselves, our symptoms, our work, or our future, he is content. He can only be met and conquered in the Name of Christ. Do not listen to him therefore. Tell him that you are in the hands of Christ and that you are leaving all things to Him."

As we enter a new year, we must be wise to the attacks Satan will bring our way. He is ever present in our lives, seeking to steal our joy and keep us from following Christ, but we can see victory over the devil by abiding in Christ.

As children of God, we have hope of resistance and the promise of strength through God. In John 15:4, Jesus told His disciples, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." A plant is nothing apart from its roots. A branch is fruitless unless it is attached to the vine. Even so, we are weak apart from Christ.

We can see victory over temptation and resist the devil's attacks as we are daily abiding in Christ through prayer, Scripture reading and memory, and faithful living. Apart from God, you are susceptible to the devil's attacks, but as you daily stay close to God, you will have His strength to resist the devil.

Today's Rooted Principle: 

Abide in Christ to have access to His strength.