Tracy Winkler
Back in the day, when I was just a wee lass, I watched a cartoon called Popeye the Sailor Man. If you remember Popeye, it probably means that it has been a while since you were a young n’. Popeye was a good guy who always tried to do the right thing. I would say he had a strong “justice” leaning…..righting the wrongs he encountered. But being strong did not come naturally to him. He needed a supplement to get his strength and it wasn’t a steroid. It was spinach!
Every time that Popeye needed strength, he would gobble down a can of spinach and his muscles would get ginormous and he would defeat the bad guy! How awesome is that? (Actually, I think this cartoon may have been dreamed up by some spinach farmers. Genius marketing!)
I like that this nautical little guy knew what tool he could reach for to help him fight his battles. What do you reach for when things get tough? When life throws you a curveball?
Psalms 84 says this….
4 What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.
5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.
7 They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
So, if you’re looking for a secret weapon against your enemy, look no further! The secret has been right in front of you all along, “4 What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord.”
Praise God and you will get strong! Your faith muscles will get ginormous! You will have the ability to fight off your enemies, bad thoughts and temptations! You will have super strength to fight your battles!
I love the song, “Surrounded”. It simply says, “This is how I fight my battles. It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You.” I encourage you to listen to it here. Seriously! I double dog dare you to sing this song….out loud! And then sing it again. Praise Him! Worship Him! Pretty soon your muscles will grow, just like Popeye’s and you will be prepared to fight your battles!