Powerful Truth That Will Give You Strength of Heart
I’ll never forget the day God gave me my life verse.
Eighteen years ago, I was searching the Scriptures and asking God to heal my broken heart. I’d started reading in Genesis and through tears, I spent every free moment opening my heart to the prompting of the Lord’s Spirit.
Have you ever read a portion of Scripture that you’ve read hundreds of times before but this time the words practically jump off the page?
That’s what happened with the following…
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
Psalm 73:26 (NLT)
but God remains the strength of my heart;
He is mine forever.
I suddenly realized I had been turning to people to give me strength; when the Lord is the only One who is able to consistently give me the strength I need each day. At that moment, I knew I wanted and needed God’s strength. I needed Him to be the One I relied on forever.
A year and a half later, Rev was diagnosed with congestive heart failure caused by Constrictive Pericarditis. As his body weakened from the illness God gave him the same verse.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
Psalm 73:26 (NIV)
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
God gave Rev, and God gave me, the strength of heart we needed through difficult days of illness, through difficult and dangerous heart surgery, through joyful days of healing, and through additional years of good health.
The Lord chose to give us the same life verse at different times through different circumstances all to be used for His plans and purposes.
Psalm 73 was written by Asaph, a leader of one of the Temple Choirs. I encourage you to click on the link and read all 28 verses, as Asaph addresses a struggle understood by many…
He questioned why God would allow the proud and wicked to live painless carefree comfortable lives.
He wrote…
Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Psalm 73:1314
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?
I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain.
It’s a common question, isn’t it? Why does God allow the innocent to suffer while it seems like the guilty thrive?
Many struggle to find the answer that Asaph realized…
I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.
Psalm 73:16–17
But what a difficult task it is!
Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
The answer is found by looking at life with an eternal perspective. Wealth doesn’t last. Health doesn’t last. Popularity, power, and possessions don’t last.
There is only one thing that matters because it lasts for all eternity and that is our forever relationship with God through His Son, Jesus. A relationship that is able to give us strength of heart.
This year, as Rev and I have prayerfully taken his ALS journey to the Lord in prayer, He one again grabbed our hearts with His truth…
I still belong to You;
Psalm 73:23–25
You hold my right hand.
You guide me with Your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
I desire You more than anything on earth.
Whatever God allows, our joy, peace, confidence, and hope are in Him. He is with us. He is the strength of our hearts. He is our secure foundation. And He is the One we truly need now and forever.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer Asking God to Give Strength of Heart
Father God, thank you for Your being patient with me. It can be easy for me to make comparisons. Like Asaph, I can wonder why those who persist in evil seem to live comfortable lives. Please forgive me for comparing the hard parts of my life with what appears to be easy for those who do whatever it takes to achieve power, popularity, and prosperity. I’m guilty of focusing on things that are temporary rather than on the things that last forever.
Thank you for Jesus who came to live the perfect life I have been unable to live. Thank you for His willingness to suffer and die to suffer my punishment. And thank you for His resurrection that demonstrates and proves the eternal future You have promised to those who KNOW, TRUST, and LOVE You.
Thank you for the Spirit who inspired the writers of Your Word. Thank you for the way He has worked in my heart bringing me to faith and filling me with joy, hope, peace, and so much more. Thank you for the way He guides and counsels me.
Thank you for giving me strength of heart. Thank you for being the strength of my heart. Thank you for the promise of a forever future with You. And thank you God for truly being all I need now and eternally. Yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and always. Amen.
The enemy loves to distract us with comparisons that take our focus off the Lord and the eternal blessings He wants for us.
When it looks like evil is prospering . . . run to the One who sacrificed His Son to give you strength of heart. The One who wants to be Your portion forever. Run to God who will hold you by the hand and lead you to a glorious everlasting future with Him.
I’d like to close with a question today…
Do you have a life verse? If so, we’d love for you to share it with us and tell us a little bit of the story as to why you believe the Spirit gave you that verse. And if not, prayerfully stay in the Word and invite the Spirit to speak to your heart as you surrender your life to God and focus on His blessings that last forever.
We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…
and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.
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Romans 8: 38 and 39! I have many but that is the one that I love the most. Nothing can separate me from God’s love!! At the time I saw and read it I was going through a most difficult time in my life. As you said about yours, I had read it many times, but at that time it really jumped off the page! And now, I am going through another terrible and painful time. Lots of hurt and pain!! But, I know that no matter what, I have God’s love. That is the most important truth and love of all.
Thank you for sharing your verse.
So happy to see your comment this morning! I have missed you and praying you are ok. I hate you are still going through a difficult time, sweet friend…but God, in His time and His way is going before you. There is no storm He cannot calm and no mountain He cannot move! Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me…
I pray you will have a happy and peaceful week knowing you are so deeply loved by God, and all of your friends here! Sending you a big hug, sweet friend!
Thank you Kathy! I needed that. Encouragement is such an upper! I do appreciate your prayers and your wonderful friendship.
I am muddling through this and with God’s help and wonderful people like you, (I truly believe you are an Angel that God has sent my way) and with Deb’s wisdom too, it is a tremendous help.
God bless you sweet and faithful friend.
Oh dear friend, you are so sweet and your words are always so kind and up lifting!
I am so sorry you are hurting and my heart hurts for you. God knows your heart and He feels your pain. Ecclesiastes 3:1
To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
I am thinking of you and praying this season of pain and hurt will be behind you soon. Sending love your way, precious friend…
I agree, Kathy! I missed Sue, too! Thank you for your prayers for each of us! Blessings!
Those are a couple of my favorite verses too, Sue! I’m so sorry you are living through this painful time right now. You are such a blessing and encouragement to all of us here. Know that we are praying for you and asking God to hold you extra close as He gives you everything you need to walk through these days. I’m also praying that He will shorten this time and turn around this difficulty. Blessings and hugs to you, sweet friend!
The one that sticks out to me the most is James 5:16. My unsaved dad was hit by a cement truck changing a tire on the side of the road. I was completely broken and beside myself. I had been talking to my dad about Jesus just days before but he was not ready to give his life over yet. The part of the verse “the effective ferverent prayers of a righteous man avails much.” Is what went through my mind. It was strong and I knew God gave it to me. My dad died that day on the side of the road but there was a lady that sat with him. His heart did not stop right away. Only God knows if there was a moment in time that my dad was able to surrender to Jesus. I will not know that now, but I do know God heard every prayer I prayed for my dad through the years. I still remember that moment in my sorrow and it been years.
Christina, reading your comments, just broke my heart. I cannot imagine how this terrible tragedy must have been for you and your family. I pray that your dad gave his heart to God and that you will be reunited in Heaven. I am so very sorry and I so pray God will hold you and comfort you always. Sincere condolences for your loss and grieving heart. I truly hurt for you…
I am so sorry, Christina. What a terrible heartache for you and your family to lose your dad so tragically that way. I love that you were able to talk with your dad about Jesus and your love for Him and that you were praying for him. It’s a blessing to know that like the last minute statement of faith and request for mercy of the thief on the cross saved him. And that you have that hope that your dad also had those moments surrender himself to God’s mercy and grace. And yes, an earnest prayer lifted in faith has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:!6) God richest blessings! Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging us with your faith.
Thank you for sharing how he Lord is providing for you! Today’s devotional encouraged my heart! The past three years have brought tremendous heartache for my husband and me. Our much loved son, after remarriage, has estranged himself from all his family and lifetime friends. Two years ago our daughter became very ill. She is improving as Dr.s work to diagnose the causes of her health issues! The verse that the Lord gave me one night as I cried out to Him is Psalm 34:8. Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.
I am so sorry, Lorinda. We, too, have also been rejected by a child. It is a tremendous heartache. I’m glad your daughter is improving. Thank you for sharing this with us, we are lifting you up in prayer. The Lord is good and we are asking Him to bless your family and give you everything you need.
Yes Deb! It is a tremendous heartache. I am dealing with that now and it is going to take a divine intervention from God. All I do is pray and tell God that I don’t know what else to do. It has sapped me. But, thankfully, you and Kathy and these wonderful ladies all have such wonderful prayers and insights in your Christian walk. Thank you for being such a faithful friend, and Kathy too. My heart goes out to Lorinda! Rejection is hard enough, but when it is your children, it is so painful and hurtful. Prayers for all!!
Deut 31:8 In 1996 my dad died suddenly and my world was shaken. How could the rick of our family be gone?? It was them, while in a Bible study that this verse became my life verse. God HIMSELF a would go before me, he would not leave or abandon me…I didn’t need to be afraid or discouraged! And He continues to remind me of his presence.
I’m so sorry your family experienced the sudden death of your father. That must have been such a painful time for you all. I love that God gave you such an encouraging verse to hold close. His promises are sure and clinging to Him and to His Word gives us everything we need to live with strength today and hope for the future. God bless you!
My life verse is Micah 6:8, Deb. I need to be reminded of exactly what God wants and expects from me as I traverse this earthly road.
Blessings!
What a powerful verse, Martha! May we all, with the Lord’s help, faithfully do His will, love mercy, and walk humbly. Blessings, dear friend!
What beautiful words that will help to always lean and continue praying to God when times are hard. There has been a couple times when God has heard my prayers during some difficult times giving me strength, grace, and peace during those times. I will forever be grateful to God for always being there at his time and will. I have not felt the spirit in me but know he has heard my prayers and continues to bless me. May God give us strength and understanding
when we are dealing with hard times to trust that he will be at our sight to lift us up. Blessing to all that follow this beautiful podcast.
Such beautiful verses and comments today! So uplifting and encouraging! My verse is Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. I have prayed this verse all my life…and it has always given me the comfort and courage I needed to keep forging ahead, no matter what! I love knowing that the Lord my God is me wherever I go, wherever I am! Blessings Deb, for sharing so much with us and helping us to grow in love and faith and knowledge! Another fav verse I love to write in birthday and graduations cards and try to live daily is Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
How I love the beauty of God’s written Word!
It is so reassuring to know that the Lord is faithful to always be with us willing to guide us and give us everything we need when we entrust ourselves to His loving care. Thank you so much for faithfully lifting us up with words of hope and encouragement. God bless you!
Phillipians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything….. and peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mind in a Christ Jesus. God led me to this verse when I had an mental meltdown and even though I still struggle today I’m glad I can turn to this verse for comfort and I often share it with others. It’s on top of my favorite list.
Thank you, Mae. Those are a couple of my favorite verses. I struggled with fear and anxiety for much of my life. When I truly surrendered and trusted His promise to guard my heart and give me peace one day at a time, I know I can give that day to Him in faith. His peace is a wonderful beyond-understanding blessing. God bless you!
❤️❤️❤️
Isaiah 41:13 “For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.” and
Isaiah 49:16 “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
I have many passages that are near and dear to my heart. These two stands out as they always conveyed a message of love and security. That while I didn’t choose the Lord, but he set aside my wretched life only He knows why. In that divine Right Hand is so much promise and so much strength. It tells me that regardless how I stumble on the path, His Right Hand is always there to help me up and set my foot right again. Just as Jesus demonstrated countless times through my life. There is security in the Right Hand that when fear or doubt grips my heart, I can turn to, get hold of and rely on.
And the second Isaiah passage – is an eternal, forever security. A promise given by God that He has my name scribed in His hand. Nobody and nothing can erase it from there. He knows my ups and downs, my failures, my waywardness. He knows the sins that I have no idea about ..yet my name is forever in his hand.
Ezekiel 16:8 – “I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine.”. Not I entered into a covenant but God did. He reached out after me. He initiated this covenant and He remained far more faithful to it than I ever did. The Lord set aside my life even though it was and many times still is in the bottom of the pit. But this chapter of Ezekiel shows the Lord’s endless faithfulness and mercy. That doesn’t matter how many times I hurt Him, went on my way, was smoke in His nose….time and time again He had mercy on me. He allowed me to suffer the consequences of my decisions but never took His eyes off me, never pulled back that mighty Right Hand neither did He ever broke up the covenant. And that’s my hope….His faithfulness, His everlasting love, that have been stamped with Jesus’ blood.
Such a beautiful testament, Gaby. Your faith comes across in your words. What a wonderful heart you have for our Lord and Savior! Your comments are such a blessing to me! Have a blessed week!
Oh, Gaby, what wonderful verses. We can trust the One who is faithful to keep His promises. He always has and we can trust that He always will. He holds us and helps us and guides us with His love. That is all we need today, tomorrow, and forever. God bless you!
Have a blessed week dear friend. You have such a strong faith that I’d be happy with a fraction of it ????
Deb, thank you for sharing this beautiful life verse that God gave you. Oh, may He strengthen you and your husband and your suffering. May you find comfort in the hearts God will use your story to minister to, to ease their pain. Prayers and blessings to you.
Thank you so much for your kindness and your prayers, Deborah. They are appreciated more than you know. God be with you and bless you!