I WILL BE WITH THEE --- Judges 6:14, 16.
"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy." --- Romans 9:16.
"Thou hast a little strength." --- Revelations 3:8.
"Go in this thy might, etc. Surely I will be with thee." --- Judges 6:14, 16.
A little strength is also the strength of God through Christ, the second Adam, and consequently stronger than the power of Satan and the first Adam, should it seem ever so strong. Nay, it is the death of the old man already, and kills him by degress more and more; till at last, when we drop this body of sin, it will destroy him entirely. Believers in such a state think themselves weaker than before they had any grace, not being able now to put such a force upon themselves as formerly; because they dare not now be wrought on by pride; for they no longer swim with the stream and experience no resistance; but, swimming against the stream, feel the force of the current of lust.
But it is to be remembered, that hypocrisy and proud nature, desirous of being seen and taken notice of, sometimes can outdo grace in outward things, and have a better appearance in the eyes of man; for real Christians, not being willing to be worked upon by nature any longer, and yet having but little strength, cannot put such a constraint upon themselves continually, but they may be in this manner tossed to and fro; which the Lord wisely permits for their good, to convince them the more of their own insufficiency and nothingness, that they may rely on the strength of the Lord.
Therefore we must not give over to praying and hoping in this case; but as it is only the mercy and power of Christ which preserves and stregthens the poor and feeble, we rather ought to be more earnest in drawing near to him with all our misery, weariness, and nakedness.
Mere mortal power shall fade and die,
And youthful vigour cease;
But we that wait upon the Lord
Shall feel our strength increase.