Psalm 84:4,7 “How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You. They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.”
“If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace.”
Max Lucado
The term for ‘Strength’ in the hebrew is the term Chayil, it means great courage in the face of danger… also known as valor.
When examining the root of this word it can be broken down into its basic Hebrew parts and then reveals a deeper understanding.
Chayil is spelled Chet, Yood, and Lamed in Hebrew. Chet is the picture of the fence and indicates a place of protection, a sanctuary, or a place of security. Yood is the picture of the hand or arm and points to a mighty deed. Lamed is the picture of the shepherd’s staff and demonstrates the voice of authority or control. So the first mystery we find in the letters of Chayil is how the warriors of the army of Israel were Lamed, (under strong leadership) Yood, (performing a mighty work), and Chet, (providing a place of protection, a sanctuary for their people, especially for their wives and little ones).—C.J. Lovik
Judges 6:11-12 “Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”
In the midst of Gideon’s fear and self-doubt, the Lord viewed him in a light that even he didn’t see. There are times when we need to be reminded of how God views us and and recognize the need to stop looking at our circumstances from such a limited position.
Strength was found in men and women throughout history, Moses performed greatly because of the strength he had in God.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 “You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.” But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power(Chayil) to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.”
How many people proclaim themselves as self-made men and women? The illusion of being ‘self-made’ is in respect to worldly accomplishments, but for those who seek a more lasting legacy, the measure of success has a different standard.
For those whose strength lies in their wealth, they will find that fear dominates their life. Tithing was born out of an understanding that it is God who ultimately imparts wealth and it is by giving the first fruits of income that God’s people recognize His providence in their lives.
The Value of Virtue
Virtue expresses high moral standard. Morality in God’s universe is founded upon His law.
Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous(Chayil) wife? For her worth is far above rubies.”
The value of virtue is expressed in the Hebrew word ‘Chayil‘, it is comparative to precious jewels of great worth.
vs. 29-30 “Many daughters have done well(virtuous),
But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”
To those who excel in virtue, the Lord lifts them up.
The greatest act of valor was demonstrated by the Messiah—Jesus who was prophesied about by Habakkuk.
Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength(Chayil);
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.”
For the man or woman who walks in the strength of Christ alone, they find that Jesus has become the chief cornerstone by which their strength is established.
It is by His strength that God’s people arise. It is in His strength God’s people dwell and the Lord looks for those He can place in positions of responsibility.
Exodus 18:25 “And Moses chose able(Chayil) men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”
The Valor of the Faithful
There were those who helped Moses in his work as overseer, those who helped judge among the people and carried forth the work of God. In the midst of difficulty, people of valor arose—today it is an uncommon trait yet when revealed they are quickly labeled as heroes.
Before the world, valor is greatly revered but easily twisted by those who have no consideration for the ways of the Lord.
What type of circumstances are you in the midst of today? If you aren’t going through it now, you will be. We all go through trials, it is in the midst of these trials where valor shines. Going from strength to strength is to progress from one trial to the next, witnessing God’s power supplied for all you need. The times of trial may be difficult but there is a time of refreshing for those who trust in the Lord.
Remember:
God’s people are not left alone in the fight.
The body of Christ unites together and holds each other up and strengthens one another in love.
When believers attempt to walk alone, they are left exposed to attack but when they walk together they strengthen one another by the Word of God, through prayer and encouragement.
Isaiah 40:31 “But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
Most people realize that when they compare stories they are going through the same types of trials, maybe at different times and in different ways, but they all have a similarity about them. Some trials come by way of sin or the scourge of walking in darkness, other trials come by way of the Lord and His leading.
If you are walking in sin and can’t see because of the blindness of sin, this is where a brother or sister in Christ can give you insight and revelation by the wisdom of the Word and the understanding gained by walking in Christ.
Your strength will never fail if it is found in the strength of God.
Run towards the battle, do not fear, and the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
U.T. 