Being Exalted With Inner Strength

Jesus was called the Lamb of God. When John was on the island called Patmos he was told to look, “And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb, having been slain, standing…” Revelation 5:6. The Lamb of God had conquered and was exalted to the place of highest authority, the Throne of God. But the way to the Throne was through suffering, through the cross.

         Your true identity is found in Christ. You are the lamb of Christ. Just as Jesus suffered, so must you, but with the promise of God that He will raise you up. His promise is certainly seen in the promise of a resurrected body one day. But you do not have to wait until then to be raised up. God has many ways to raise you up.

         The word “humble” is a word that describes a lamb. Some may think of humility as being a weakness. In the view of the world, it is; but not in God’s Kingdom. Humility is a total abandonment of personal strength in exchange for the strength of Someone greater. A lamb is totally reliant upon another for protection, for provision, for life. A lamb does not worry. A lamb is a picture of trust. Jesus totally trusted in the Father for everything. As one who has received His life as yours, you too, can cast all of your cares upon Him, because of His great care for you.

         God’s promise, according to 1 Peter 5:6 – 10, is to exalt those who embrace and clothe themselves with this gift in Christ, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” But being exalted by God is not what you may think.

         The first word describing how God exalts is the Greek word katartridzo, which means to be healed, restored, equipped. The second word in the verse above is “confirm,” which in Greek is stuenoo. This word is related to katartridzo in that it describes the results of healing. Surgeons tell us that bones that are broken, then healed properly, are stronger than before. This is the meaning of the word stuenoo; stronger than before.

         God exalts with the strength from His healing. When you turn to God for inner healing, casting all of your wounds upon Him, He restores and gives greater strength than before. This healing strength frees you from constant pain, distraction, and deception associated with a life of sin in a sinful world. Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. God’s grace heals your wounds and in your weakness, His strength is given in full.

         Your true identity is a wounded lamb, now standing, with greater strength than before, because of the healing you have received in Christ. Today, clothe yourself with the humility of Christ, with a total reliance upon His life in you and your identity in Him. The very things that have set you back, will move you forward in Christ, as you cast them all on Him. He is your healing. He is your strength. In Him, you are stronger than ever before.