Another way we receive strength from the Lord is through the written Word of God. This can also be understood as receiving encouragement from the written Word of God. I’d like to show you an example of this from Scripture of how the prophet Elijah received strength from the Word of God.

Elijah was a prophet of God, and after he had won a great victory over the 450 (false) prophets of Baal, he ended up running away from Jezebel in fear of his life. In 1 Kings we read about how God had a journey for Elijah and a mission for him to fulfill, but he needed strength for the journey ahead.

Then as he (Elijah) lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came back a second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that (spiritual) food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.

1 Kings 19:5-8 NKJV

This passage of Scripture from 1 Kings chapter 19:5-8 is an allegory (meaning that it is a story that can be interpreted to have a hidden meaning) which offers us a deeper spiritual meaning. We know that food gives our bodies strength for our daily tasks and the work we need to do. We also know that the bible is often referred to as the bread of life, which means that it offers us spiritual nourishment and strength. I believe that the hidden meaning behind this Scripture is as follows: The baked cake (a type of bread) which the Angel of the Lord brought to Elijah offered him the spiritual strength he needed for the journey that the Lord had ahead of him. Water in Scripture is usually a type of the Holy Spirit, and we know that the Holy Spirit quickens the Word of God.

Here is another example from Scripture showing us that the written word of God gives us strength:

He  causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the service of man, that he may bring forth food from the earth, and wine that makes glad the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthens man’s heart.

Psalm 104:14-15 NKJV

The Lord is so good and He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. He will continually guide us to passages of Scripture that will offer us strength in times of weakness and encouragement in times of difficulty. The Holy Spirit will draw our attention to specific Scriptures and make the Word of God alive to us so that we can receive the message God has for us each and every day.

A few years ago I asked the Lord to give me a special Scripture that would continually give me strength and encouragement. He really is such a good Father, within a day or so I came across a certain passage of Scripture and when I read it I knew for certain that my prayer had been answered. The Holy Spirit had drawn my attention to a specific Scripture that still speaks to me today in such a special way, and it in contains specific promises that I continually hold on to.  Whenever I bring this Scripture to mind, it always gives me the strength, encouragement, joy, and peace I need to get through the day.

I’d like to encourage you to ask God for a special Scripture just for you. One that really speaks to you in a special way. One that will continually give you comfort, encouragement and strength.