Quotes about Strength

I say the Gospel is frail because we are frail.

For even the heathen poet said, "I was wrong in thinking that that kingdom which is established by force is stronger than that which is joined together by friendship."6

For He has His strength in His mouth, not a sword in His hand.

The gospel is a powerful word, but it cannot do its work without trials. No one will discover its power unless they experience it. The gospel can show its power only where there is a cross and where there is suffering.

And the human mind endures misfortunes of any kind more easily than prosperity and abundance, as the German proverb puts it: "Strong legs are needed to be able to endure good days.

The devil is our mortal enemy, the world attacks us horribly, and it is evident everywhere that there is no more miserable and contemptible person on earth than a Christian. That is why we must have a greater, stronger, and more reliable comfort, to offset all their defiance and might.

For if I believe the promise of God, I am certain that my life is pleasing to God and is superior to all the orders, since it makes a heavenly man, a conqueror of death, an heir of eternal life, and one who tramples the devil underfoot, as is stated in Ps. 91:13: "You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and serpent you will trample underfoot." This is the strength and particular power of Christians.

The Law dispels all self-illusions. It puts the fear of God in a man. Without this fear there can be no thirst for God's mercy. God accordingly uses the Law for a hammer to break up the illusion of self- righteousness, that we should despair of our own strength and efforts at self-justification.

We should give heed to what has been said by the heathen poet: "Do not yield to evils but proceed more boldly against them."15

We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.

Our nettlesome task is to discover how to organize our strength into compelling power.

Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.