What the Bible Says About Strength

Strength, according to Merriam-Webster, is the capacity for exertion or endurance. We use this word holistically, admiring physical strength while also describing someone who has been through a lot of hard times in their life as being strong.

Strength, or the lack thereof, impacts every area of our lives. We’ve all been in seasons when it took a lot of strength just to get through a day. Perhaps you’re in one of those seasons now. Thankfully, there is plenty in Scripture we can look to for guidance on strength. We can learn a lot from the people in the Bible who showed endurance. The Bible also speaks about God’s strength and our role in trusting him. So, let’s explore Bible verses for strength.

God’s Strength

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31b, NIV). Learning about God’s strength lends perspective to the difficult times in our lives. The Word of God is full of descriptions of his strength and ability. Furthermore, it tells us how he directs that strength to defend the poor.

Psalm 9:9 says, “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (NIV).

At Compassion International, we believe that God calls us to join him in this work of defending and caring for children living in poverty. Keep reading to discover the power of having God on your side.

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

— Exodus 15:13, NIV

Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

— Jeremiah 32:17, NIV

“I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.”

— Zechariah 10:6, NIV

So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.”

—Zechariah 4:6, NIV

Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

— 1 Chronicles 29:11, NIV

Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

— 1 Chronicles 29:12, NIV

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

— 1 Chronicles 16:11, NIV

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

— 2 Chronicles 16:9a, NIV

You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

— Psalm 68:35, NIV

Trusting God’s Strength

When we feel as though we have no strength of our own, we can lean on God’s strength. Leaning on his strength teaches us that God’s love for us is bigger than any challenge we can face.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.

— Isaiah 12:2, NIV

The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

— Nahum 1:7, NIV

The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

—Proverbs 18:10, NIV

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

— Psalm 16:8, NIV

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.

— Psalm 23:4, NIV

The LORD is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

— Psalm 27:1-3, NIV

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

— Psalm 31:24, NIV

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

— Psalm 46:1-3, NIV

You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress.

— Psalm 59:9, NIV

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

— Psalm 59:16, NIV

The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

— Psalm 118:6, NIV

The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.

— Psalm 118:14, NIV

I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

— Psalm 121:1-2, NIV

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

— Psalm 34:4, NIV

The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

— Exodus 15:2, NIV

Admonitions for Our Strength

What do you do once you find strength in yourself? What is the role of our own strength in our lives? These Bible verses about strength provide guidance on where to direct our strength.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

— Mark 12:30, NIV

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

— 1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

— Deuteronomy 6:5, NIV

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”

— Isaiah 30:15, NIV

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

— Proverbs 31:25, NIV

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9, NIV

Strength From God

Among the most encouraging Bible verses are God’s promises to strengthen us. These scriptures prompt us to trust him and know he is faithful. We can take heart that we do not have to walk through any challenges alone but that he will be with us in them and give us what we need as we rely on him.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

— 2 Timothy 1:7, NIV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

— Ephesians 6:10, NIV

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

— Psalm 73:26, NIV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

— 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.

— Ephesians 3:16, NIV

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

— Philippians 4:13, NIV

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

— 2 Thessalonians 3:3, NIV

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

— 2 Timothy 2:1, NIV

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

— Acts 1:8, NIV

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

— 1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace  as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

— Romans 15:13, NIV

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.

— 1 Timothy 1:12, NIV

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

— 1 Peter 5:10, NIV

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

— Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

— Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

— Isaiah 40:29-31, NIV

“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.”

— Isaiah 41:10, NIV

LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

— Isaiah 33:2, NIV

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

— Nehemiah 8:10, NIV

The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.

— Habakkuk 3:19, NIV

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

— 2 Samuel 22:33, NIV

You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me.

— 2 Samuel 22:40, NIV

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

— 1 Samuel 30:6, NIV

I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

— Psalm 18:1-2, NIV

It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

— Psalm 18:32, NIV

But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

— Psalm 22:19, NIV

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

— Psalm 28:7-8, NIV

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

— Psalm 29:11, NIV

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

— 1 Peter 4:11, NIV

The LORD sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.

— Psalm 41:3, NIV

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

— Psalm 119:28, NIV

When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.

— Psalm 138:3, NIV

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