“My God is so big, so strong and so mighty; there’s nothing my God cannot do!” Perhaps you know this song and are humming it in your mind right now. It is a current favorite in my classroom. The students love singing about their strong God who can do everything.
What a blessing to know our God is mighty! It’s not so easy to be strong, as today’s passage encourages. We live in a world of temptations, troubles, and trials. The devil uses anything he can to draw our focus away from our Savior. On our own, we cannot stand up to him. But our almighty God can, and he did! He loves us so much he sacrificed his own Son. In Jesus we see the true strength of our God on display, the strength to set aside his power so that he might take our place and we might have salvation. “Jesus made himself nothing…and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7-8). Our all-powerful God has not forsaken us.
Not only did God save us, he also equips us to stand against the devil’s schemes. He provides armor that can withstand any enemy: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17). As we read and study God’s Word, we become stronger. Armed with God’s true, powerful word, we battle the devil’s lies and temptations. We get to help others put on their armor as we share Jesus’ love with our students, school families, and each other. God gives us his strength.
My students’ favorite part of singing “My God Is So Big” is the ending. After singing about the wonderful things God has done, they finish with, “There’s nothing my God cannot do FOR YOU!” No matter what we are facing, God is stronger, God is mightier. He gives us the strength and armor to be strong in the Lord.
Lord of love, we bow before you, humbled by your constant grace.
Word incarnate, sent from heaven, on the cross you took our place.
By your death and resurrection, we shall live through endless days!
Lord of life, we sing your praise.