Him Be Strong
Warren F. Kenney
It seems like yesterday he was a little boy, but now he is a grown man. As with all little boys (and girls) his concepts were going through a growth process. To him, as a man, a dog is a dog, but, as a little boy, a dog was a “dolldy.” (I have no idea how to spell that word which is not a word at all.) As a little boy, he did not want to grow up to be a fireman. He wanted to grow up to be a “fireman engine.” That concept evolved into others joking that he wanted to become a fire truck. His sister, in an obvious moment of making fun of him, said he had changed his goal and now wanted to grow up and become a baseball bat.
I think my very favorite concept he had involved the song “Jesus Loves Me,” which we all like to sing. May we never get so old that we do not like to sing it anymore. Instead of singing, “they are weak but He is strong” that little boy sang, “them be weak but Him be strong.” His grammar needed to grow, but his theology was absolutely on target.
“Him be strong” in duration. The prophet Micah foretold the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. In that very prophecy, he made it clear that the birth of Christ did not mark His beginning because His “goings forth are from old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2 (All references from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted.) John opened his gospel record by affirming, “In the beginning was the Word.” John 1:1a That means that when time began He was already there. He established in verse 14 that “the Word” was none other than the one who became flesh to dwell among us, an obvious reference to Christ. When you think of the eternal nature of His existence, you realize that the little boy who sang “Him be strong” was right.
“Him be strong” in creation. After telling us that Jesus was here in the beginning, John said, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” (John 1:3) The Hebrew writer stated the same truth. Hebrews 1:2 The sweet singer of Israel sang His praises by proclaiming, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you visit him?” Psalm 8:3-4 When you consider the power manifested in the creation, you realize that the little boy who sang “Him be strong” was right.
“Him be strong” in upholding His creation. The Hebrew writer said he upholds “all things by the word of His power.” Hebrews 1:3 I do not comprehend all that is involved in this, but I do know this: “Him be strong.”
“Him be strong” in the resurrection. In John 10:18, He said that regardless of how things looked, He was manifesting His power in His death and His resurrection. When you realize that He defeated Satan in His death (Hebrews 2:14) and then arose to sit at His Father’s right hand (Acts 2:33), you are caused to marvel that “Him be strong.”
“Him be strong” in providing salvation. In Acts 4:12, Peter told the Sanhedrin that salvation can only be found in Christ. When I think of the soul cleansing power of His blood, I am driven to the conclusion that “Him be strong.”
That little boy has grown into a fine man in the view of this somewhat prejudiced father. His grammar has changed, but his theology is the same. He still believes with all his heart that “Him be strong.” May I encourage you not to try making it through life on your own. You need His strength.
Now, lay this article down so you can pick up your Bible and read Philippians 4:13. –90 Waverly Ct., Martinsburg, WV 25401.