Welcome to another Favor Fridays with Tony! Today, we are embracing a powerful truth: The Favor of Strength. It is no coincidence that today marks the 7th day of Black History Month, a time when we reflect on the resilience, courage, and faith of those who came before us. As we honor their legacies, we recognize that the strength they carried was not just their own—it was the favor of God at work in their lives.
Strength: A Gift of God’s Favor
Strength is not just about physical endurance—it is a divine gift that enables us to withstand trials, overcome adversity, and keep moving forward in faith. Isaiah 41:10 (The Message) reminds us:
“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”
This promise reassures us that the strength we need is not something we have to manufacture on our own. It is God’s favor at work in us, upholding us in every season of life.
Biblical Examples of Strength
Throughout the Bible, we see powerful examples of how God’s strength sustained His people through impossible situations:
1. Moses – Strength to Lead (Exodus 3-14)
Moses, though reluctant and full of doubt, was chosen by God to lead His people out of slavery. With God’s strength, he confronted Pharaoh, led the Israelites across the Red Sea, and carried the burden of an entire nation. Just as Moses relied on God’s favor for strength, we, too, can trust that He will equip us for the battles we face.
2. David – Strength in Battle (1 Samuel 17)
David, a young shepherd, faced the giant Goliath with nothing but a slingshot and unwavering faith. He declared, “The battle belongs to the Lord” and took down his formidable opponent. His story reminds us that when we trust in God’s strength, no enemy—physical or spiritual—can defeat us.
3. Esther – Strength in Boldness (Esther 4:14)
Queen Esther risked her life to save her people. Though fearful, she relied on God’s favor and stepped forward, demonstrating that strength is often found in courage. Her famous words, “If I perish, I perish”, embody the kind of faith that allows us to move forward despite uncertainty.
The Strength of Black History: God’s Favor in Action
As we celebrate Black History Month, we recognize that the strength displayed by countless Black pioneers, leaders, and visionaries was fueled by faith and the favor of God. Their unwavering resilience mirrors the biblical examples we admire. Here are just a few figures whose lives reflected the favor of strength:
1. Harriet Tubman – Strength to Deliver
Harriet Tubman, often called the “Moses of her people,” led enslaved individuals to freedom through the Underground Railroad. She relied on God’s guidance, saying, “I always told God, ‘I’m going to hold steady on You, and You’ve got to see me through.’” Her trust in divine strength allowed her to complete dangerous missions with unshakable courage.
2. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – Strength in Nonviolence
Dr. King’s leadership in the Civil Rights Movement was grounded in his faith. Despite threats, imprisonment, and violence, he preached nonviolence and love, standing firm on God’s favor to overcome hatred with righteousness. His famous words, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,” reflect the strength that comes from enduring trials with faith.
3. Maya Angelou – Strength Through Words
Maya Angelou’s poetry and activism inspired generations. In her poem “Still I Rise”, she wrote:
“Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise.”
Her words echo the biblical assurance that with God’s favor, we rise beyond circumstances, setbacks, and struggles.
The Favor of Strength in Our Daily Lives
God’s strength is not just for biblical heroes or historical figures—it is available to us today. Here are some ways we can walk in the favor of strength:
1. Strength in Trials
Life brings unexpected challenges, but James 1:2-4 (The Message) tells us:
“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”
God’s favor strengthens us to endure trials, knowing that each challenge refines us.
2. Strength in Purpose
Each of us has a calling. Like Moses, Esther, and Dr. King, we may feel unqualified, but God strengthens those He calls. Philippians 4:13 (The Message) assures us: “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”
3. Strength in Community
We are not meant to walk alone. The strength of our ancestors came not only from personal faith but from unity. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (The Message) reminds us:
“It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. If one falls down, the other helps.”
When we support and uplift one another, we walk in God’s favor of strength together.
Practical Ways to Embrace God’s Strength
Start Your Day in Prayer – Before the weight of the world hits, seek God’s strength through prayer.
Reflect on Past Victories – Remember what God has already brought you through. Your testimony fuels your faith.
Surround Yourself with Encouragement – Listen to gospel music, read inspiring books, and fellowship with people who uplift you.
Speak Life Over Yourself – Declare God’s strength over your life daily: “I am strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.”
Keep Moving Forward – Strength isn’t the absence of struggle but the ability to persevere despite it.
Closing Thoughts: Walking in the Favor of Strength
As we reflect on Black History Month, we honor the strength of those who paved the way for us. Their resilience was not their own—it was God’s favor of strength at work. Just as they leaned on Him, so can we.
This week, let’s commit to walking in the favor of strength, knowing that no matter what we face, God is our strength and sustainer. He has brought us this far, and He will continue to guide us forward.
Want to see how faith and strength come together in action? Check out my superhero novel series, S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™. It’s a story about characters discovering their God-given purpose and overcoming challenges through faith. Visit www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/the-shop to get your autographed copy and start your journey today!
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