Through His Spirit

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.

Ephesians 3:16

Spiritual strengthening comes by the Spirit of God.  For us to be ‘strengthened with might…in the inner man,’ it must be ‘through His Spirit.’  We observe this in the lives of the Apostles.  Before Christ ascended, He said to them, ‘but you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:  and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’  On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled them as they had never experienced Him before.  They began to boldly proclaim Christ in languages which they had not acquired by study.  They had spiritual power which they had never had before.  They proclaimed Christ boldly and refused to cease even when the enemies of Christ threatened them; ‘and daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.’  It was the Holy Spirit Who strengthened them with might in the inner man.  We have that same Holy Spirit dwelling in us.  What He did for the disciples and what Paul prayed He would do for the Ephesians, He is able to do for us.  Thus, if we are going to pray for ourselves and for those most dear to us, we can do no better than to pray that we all may be ‘strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.’  This will transform us, and everyone whom the Holy Spirit strengthens.  It will be the means whereby Christ makes use of us to advance His Kingdom.

Our Heavenly Father and Our Almighty God,
we rejoice at the ministry of Your Holy Spirit.
We praise You that He strengthens us
to accomplish Your purposes in making much of Christ.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning