This is a couple months old and gleaned from my own journals and a couple individual email conversations. I wanted to see how biblical characters discuss strength; how it impacts their world and their relationships. My own story is in progress, but in Scripture there are completed arcs, sometimes with commentary and consequences included.
I didn't post chapter/verse references, and some of my descriptors are paraphrased to grab the "essence" of a chunk of adjacent passages.
Jacob rallies his strength
Jacob's strength is displayed in his children
God is strength = song = salvation = joy = shield = refuge**
God's strength guides us
In our own strength, we will act in vain and become exhausted & unproductive -- barren
God's strength empowers groups of people
Strength brings deliverance
We are to use our strength to love God
Sometimes we mistakenly trust in our own strength
Obedience comes before strength is given
God has compassion on us when we're without strength
God doesnt like it when we rely/boast in our own strength
As is the man, so is his strength
Find strength in God by seeking His face
We sometimes run out of strength
Strength is victory
God sometimes breaks our strength
Sometimes the wicked display overwhelming strength
One consequence of strength is peace
Our strength can't save us from troubling times
We can ask God to present His strength
God's strength can overcome my losing heart
We are blessed if we give our strength to God - or rely on God's strength
Increasing strength is the goal of the wise & knowledgeable
The wise & noble woman is clothed with strength
Small strength falters in troublesome times
Don't spend strength on women
It isn't a good idea to rely solely on material resources
Strength is found in quietness & trust
Ask God for strength every morning
God increases strength & power to weary & weak
Hope in God renews strength
Strength is something we put on like clothing
Don't depend on other people for your strength
We're called to love God with our strength
** I find this particularly intriguing as a literature student/nerd. Many years ago, a wise man gave me a riddle: "What is the strength of your salvation?"
After I spent a few moments positing half-formed hypotheses, he combined a couple simple verses and the ol' transitive property.
"We know that salvation comes from the Lord. But we also know 'the joy of the Lord is our strength.' So joy is at least one source of strength for your salvation."
I'm not sure if that logic holds up in seminary, but the lesson has stuck with me. Sometimes strength isn't about "being strong." Unrelated character qualities, like joy, play a part too.
