“It’s no use,” said Tom to his youth minister. “I’m unable to resist the temptation to sin. I’ve tried again and again to resist the devil and run from him when I’m tempted, but it never works. Something must be wrong with my willpower, so why should I try any longer?”

“Perhaps that’s the problem - trying to resist temptation with ‘willpower.’ No doubt it’s time to turn to God’s power,” said Jeremy.

Then he opened his Bible to Psalm 138:3 and read, “As soon as I pray, you answer me; You encourage me by giving me strength.”

The Psalmist had it right: Rather than using his power, he depended on God for His power. And as we read that verse, we can learn from his struggle how to be faithful to God. There must have been a period in the life of the Psalmist when he tried to “make it on his own” and was unsuccessful. From his failure came his success because he was willing to turn from will-power to God-power. Notice that he wrote, “As soon as I pray...”

He learned an important “life-lesson.” He could not resist the temptation to sin if he depended on himself. But “as soon as” he turned from himself to his Savior, he got exactly what he needed: “encouragement and strength” that comes only from God. So, he literally “gave up” on himself and his willpower. His power did not work.

There is nothing that pleases God more than for one of His children to depend on Him for “survival.” And, we must never forget that “as soon as” we call, He answers!

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to be strong enough to be weak and to call on You for encouragement and strength. Make us aware of our own limits, and Your boundless love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.  Psalm 138:3

“It’s no use,” said Tom to his youth minister. “I’m unable to resist the temptation to sin. I’ve tried again and again to resist the devil and run from him when I’m tempted, but it never works. Something must be wrong with my willpower, so why should I try any longer?”

“Perhaps that’s the problem - trying to resist temptation with ‘willpower.’ No doubt it’s time to turn to God’s power,” said Jeremy.

Then he opened his Bible to Psalm 138:3 and read, “As soon as I pray, you answer me; You encourage me by giving me strength.”

The Psalmist had it right: Rather than using his power, he depended on God for His power. And as we read that verse, we can learn from his struggle how to be faithful to God. There must have been a period in the life of the Psalmist when he tried to “make it on his own” and was unsuccessful. From his failure came his success because he was willing to turn from will-power to God-power. Notice that he wrote, “As soon as I pray...”

He learned an important “life-lesson.” He could not resist the temptation to sin if he depended on himself. But “as soon as” he turned from himself to his Savior, he got exactly what he needed: “encouragement and strength” that comes only from God. So, he literally “gave up” on himself and his willpower. His power did not work.

There is nothing that pleases God more than for one of His children to depend on Him for “survival.” And, we must never forget that “as soon as” we call, He answers!

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to be strong enough to be weak and to call on You for encouragement and strength. Make us aware of our own limits, and Your boundless love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.  Psalm 138:3

The battle was long and fierce. Although it was dark, the skies were bright with tracer bullets and bombs bursting everywhere. Frightened soldiers were afraid to move from their trenches fearing that the enemy would see them. Suddenly, one of them began to cry.

“I’m afraid. I’m a coward. Will someone please help me? I don’t want to die,” he cried out in fear.

His friend, hiding next to him, extended a word of comfort. “It’s O.K. to be afraid. I’m right here with you. Let’s pray for God’s help.” Then his friend began to quote Psalm 138:3: “As soon as I pray You answer me, You encourage me by giving me strength.”

Fear is a normal feeling when our lives are being threatened. It is a gift from God sending us a signal that we need to reach out to Him for His protection as well as a reminder that He will never leave us nor forsake us no matter how desperate or dangerous our surroundings may be.

Courage can be compared to a muscle: it will grow over time if used. Often, however, we would rather give in to a test or temptation that God sends our way than to call on Him for strength. As the Psalmist said, “As soon as I pray You answer!” Included in the answer are His courage and His strength.

God is the very best resource available to us when we need help in any situation. Friends are helpful, but God is faithful - and will not allow us to be tempted or tested beyond His power or ability to rescue and save us.

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for Your promise to give us courage and strength when we face the dangers of life. And, thank You for the speed of Your reply! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. Psalm 138:3

The battle was long and fierce. Although it was dark, the skies were bright with tracer bullets and bombs bursting everywhere. Frightened soldiers were afraid to move from their trenches fearing that the enemy would see them. Suddenly, one of them began to cry.

“I’m afraid. I’m a coward. Will someone please help me? I don’t want to die,” he cried out in fear.

His friend, hiding next to him, extended a word of comfort. “It’s O.K. to be afraid. I’m right here with you. Let’s pray for God’s help.” Then his friend began to quote Psalm 138:3: “As soon as I pray You answer me, You encourage me by giving me strength.”

Fear is a normal feeling when our lives are being threatened. It is a gift from God sending us a signal that we need to reach out to Him for His protection as well as a reminder that He will never leave us nor forsake us no matter how desperate or dangerous our surroundings may be.

Courage can be compared to a muscle: it will grow over time if used. Often, however, we would rather give in to a test or temptation that God sends our way than to call on Him for strength. As the Psalmist said, “As soon as I pray You answer!” Included in the answer are His courage and His strength.

God is the very best resource available to us when we need help in any situation. Friends are helpful, but God is faithful - and will not allow us to be tempted or tested beyond His power or ability to rescue and save us.

Prayer:  Thank You, Father, for Your promise to give us courage and strength when we face the dangers of life. And, thank You for the speed of Your reply! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. Psalm 138:3