FINDING GOD’S STRENGTH THROUGH HIS PROMISES THIS YEAR 

Sermon about ‘God’s Strength’, preached at the People’s Church in Sri Lanka on 11th January 2026

Our Theme for the year: STAND ON THE WORD – When Lies Are Loud – Truth Stands Firm.

 This is the second week of the year and that’s when reality hits. The excitement of the first week could fade away quickly because our challenges may still remain. So, in week 1 we may be highly motivated, but in week 2, we could still be struggling in our trials.

Some of you came into this year fired up, with new purpose, hope, and vision – then suddenly: The pressure didn’t ease – The temptation didn’t stop – The trials continued. If so, we should remember that God never promised a pressure-free life or a great escape from trials – But He did promise strength that never runs out for you and me.

KEY VERSE:

2 Corinthians 1:20: “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” 

This verse tells us that “all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” That is a powerful statement we should hold on to in the months ahead. 

BIG IDEA OF THE MESSAGE:

Your trial won’t break you when God’s strength and promises are with you. It will only build you more into His image. 

Here are 3 thoughts I would like to share today.

#1 – GOD PROMISES HIS PRESENCE IN YOUR TRIALS

Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Look at that verse carefully. God doesn’t say: “You won’t face trouble, be dismayed, or be afraid”. He says: “Do not fear, I am with you, I will strengthen you. I will help you and uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

You know, fear looks stronger when we are alone – but confidence rises when someone stronger stands beside you.  A child may tremble in a dark room; until they feel their father’s or mother’s hand. Similarly, God is with you and you need not fear any trial. Yes, God is with you in your darkest moments.

As a shepherd, David knew this only too well. He had faced lions and bears and prevailed through God’s help. The sheep knew it too. They trusted the shepherd whenever danger arose. That’s why David wrote Psalm 23. Let’s look at what he says in verse 4.

Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

What a powerful statement! Because God walks with us in our darkest valley, no challenge we face is outside God’s presence and His purview. 

Illustration: I remember a big challenge I faced some years ago in a ministry I was involved in. In that challenge, the Lord gave me a scripture promise the very next day from the Psalms, while I was in His presence in a season of fasting and prayer. 10 minutes later, the confirmation of God’s answer came through a telephone call.

Worship Song: Let’s stay right now in God’s presence in worship as we prayerfully sing the chorus, “In Your Presence, there is peace. In Your presence, there is joy.” 

#2 – THE PROMISES OF GOD’S STRENGTH IN YOUR WEAKNESS 

Sometimes our strength runs out. We feel weary and tired. It may be hard to move even a step forward. But that’s when God’s strength comes in. God’s strength comes not necessarily when we are spiritually high, but definitely when we are down. When we are weak. When we think we can’t go on. He uses our weakness to show His strength!

When Paul faced a serious trial which he called a ‘thorn in the flesh’, he  begged God three times to remove it. However, God didn’t remove the problem. He released grace. He added strength. This is what He told Paul.

2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

That’s powerful to read. To know that God’s strength comes when we are weak. That His grace will always be sufficient for His children. And God’s strength and renewal can empower us irrespective of our age and circumstances when we wait on Him. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength…” 

As we learn to persevere and stand firm in our trials and weaknesses through God’s strength and grace, He calls us ‘Blessed’ and promises us ‘the crown of life’. That’s what James tells us.

James 1:12:  “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life…”

Notice the word – STOOD. We stand through God’s strength without quitting.

You know, endurance is just like building muscle. We realize that resistance doesn’t destroy muscle – it strengthens it. So, If God allows the pressure, it’s because He knows you can stand in it in His strength.

What the enemy is using to try and break you, God will use to build you! Find God’s strength through His promises. 

Illustration: Russell Kelso Carter was a Professor of Civil Engineering, Mathematics and Chemistry at a Military Academy. He suffered a heart crisis at age 30 and at that time, doctors were limited in what they could do to help him. He therefore turned to God for comfort and leaned on His promises in prayer. Yes, He stood on God’s promises for healing and you know what? He lived 49 more years! As a result, he wrote the inspirational hymn, “Standing on the Promises”. 

Let’s all stand together now and sing that hymn as we proclaim that we will stand on God’s promises.

To read the story of the hymn, ‘Standing on the Promises’ click here.

#3 – TWO WAYS WE CAN GROW IN GOD’S STRENGTH THROUGH HIS PROMISES

A) BY MEDITATING ON HIS PROMISES:

Self-help books can help build discipline, give advice, and help us become better people. However, it’s only the Word of God that can transform lives, hearts, and situations.

Therefore, let’s meditate on and memorize His promises. What does the word meditate mean? Here is a definition.

Meditate – “To Focus one’s mind for a period of time, usually in silence, for religious or spiritual purposes.”

As we think about that, let’s follow the reflections of the author of Psalm 119 as reflected in verses 11 and 15.

Psalm 11911: “I have hidden your word in my heart  that I might not sin against you.”

Psalm 119:15: “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.”

We are encouraged by the psalmist here to hide God’s Word in our heart and to meditate on it.

Illustration regarding meditation:

Consider the example of cows chewing the cud. They do it repeatedly with the grass or plants they eat. Chewing the cud allows them to efficiently digest tough plants and helps them to extract maximum nutrients. Chewing the cud also provides them with better health, better digestion, and better  milk production.

Similarly, memorizing and meditating on God’s promises strengthens us in times of trials and weakness because it reinforces His presence and His power to us.

B) BY PRAYING HIS PROMISES:

We can learn to not only memorize and meditate on God’s promises, but we can also pray those promises in times of difficulty. There is great power in proclaiming God’s promises in prayer. Why? Because God’s promises are backed by His name and His honor. He will be true to all of His promises. This is what is confirmed in Psalm 138:2.

Psalm 138:2: “I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name (NLT).”

CLOSING:

The promises of God’s strength are for: Those facing temptation and resisting quietly – Parents carrying pressure no one sees – Leaders feeling stretched – Believers discouraged but still showing up – People praying with no immediate answer. In other words, they are for you and me.

You don’t need to be strong enough for the whole year. You just need God’s strength for today which is available through Jesus our Savior. He will give you the grace and strength you need today.

This year will not be remembered for the trials that tried to break you – It will be remembered for how God’s strength sustained you in your trials through His promises. Let’s close in prayer.   

For a sermon of hope from Psalm 91 click here. If you would like to listen to a short podcast on prayer, click here.