"SPIRITUAL CONVALESCENCE" (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 4/8/25

“And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.” (Zechariah 10:12)

A careful study of this chapter will reveal that the Lord’s ancient people had been much forgotten and often persecuted, and so generally despised that the Prophet did well to remind them of a better future which the Lord God had spoken concerning them. But the heritage of the natural and typical Israel belongs in its greater and spiritual meaning to the spiritual Israel, the Church, and therefore this promise is ours. To those who lament their weakness the promise of the text is particularly cheering.

Divine strengthening is promised to offset our weakness. We are as naturally weak as water. Add to this natural weakness periods of soul-sickness, when we are sadly feeble, and feel at a loss as to how we can go on. We find that study is unenlightening, and prayer is difficult, and both are more as chores than they are delights. In the midst of great labors, we feel our weakness. We need strength for the work and for the battle. We need to hear and claim the Lord’s promise to His beloved Apostle Paul, who, when in great affliction, cried out. The Lord answered, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul then understood the paradoxical truth, “When I am weak then am I strong.”

This Divine strengthening is freely promised and freely given. In the sixth verse the Lord said, “I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the LORD their God, and will hear them!” Let every believing soul take comfort! The first thing I would have us notice is that here our times of desperation are foreknown to Him, and His mercies are prepared in advance. He owned them as His people and promised to hear them and strengthen them long before they came to ask for help. It is encouraging to think that our Lord has prepared mercies and knows what we have need of before we ask.

In fact, from the above reference, we understand that He sees our times of felt weakness as necessary learning experiences, teaching us that our only true source of strength is the Lord. “I will,” “I will strengthen them.”

Divine strengthening is not a “one and done.” We go from strength to strength. We are promised that “as thy days, so shall thy strength be.” We realize this promise by the silent operation of the Holy Spirit; but also, by use of the means of grace: prayer, communion with God, and all spiritual exercises. We grow in strength by growth in each holy grace, and by the increase of life within.

Divine strengthening is received with great delight, just as a sick person recovers strength as his body heals. As is his case, so is ours. The appetite returns: the soul relishes the Word of God. Difficulties vanish as the recovery continues: burdens grow lighter, employment is desired, because strength needs to be exercised. Christian activity is resumed and increased. Notice, “They shall walk up and down in His name.” It is amazing the ease with which once so difficult labors for Christ are now performed - “Walking up and down in His name.”

Are you experiencing sickness, sorrow, weakness? This sacred text is for you. See where your strength lies. Look to the strong for strength. Believe in Him to receive it. He is ready to bestow it. When you have it, use it abundantly.