The Bible is full of passages about God as our strength and defender. Throughout the Old Testament, the idea of God’s strength, defense, and salvation are closely linked. The Israelites were hoping for salvation from their enemies. They were looking for God’s literal protection against the stronger nations surrounding them. The Israelites knew they could be confident in battle—even when outnumbered—because God was stronger than any enemy they’d face.
Through the advent of Jesus, we begin to see God’s salvation and strength in a different light. In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul encourages them to be strong and to do everything in love. Through Jesus, we see that God’s strength isn’t a tool to crush our enemies—it empowers us to love our enemies.
As you read through this list, consider ways that God’s strength enables you to worship and serve Him, and tell others about the good news of the gospel.
1. My strength and defense
“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
2. Do not be fainthearted or afraid
He shall say: “Hear, Israel: Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” — Deuteronomy 20:3–4
3. Be strong and courageous
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
4. Do not be afraid
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
5. Look to the Lord and His strength
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always. — 1 Chronicles 16:8–11
6. Do not grieve for the Lord is your strength
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
7. My God is my rock
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
8. You are my strength; come quickly
But you, Lord, do not be far from me.
You are my strength; come quickly to help me. — Psalm 22:19
9. Whom shall I fear?
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? — Psalm 27:1
10. The Lord is the strength of His people
Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
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.
Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them forever. — Psalm 28:6-9
11. The Lord gives strength to His people
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace. — Psalm 29:10–11
12. You are my fortress
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
13. God is the strength of my heart
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever. — Psalm 73:26
14. The Lord is my strength and defense
I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the Lord helped me.
The Lord is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation. — Psalm 118:13–14
15. Strengthen me according to Your word
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word. — Psalm 119:28
16. He has become my salvation
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense[a];
he has become my salvation.” — Isaiah 12:2
17. Be our strength every morning
Lord, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress. — Isaiah 33:2
18. Renewing their strength
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
19. I will strengthen and help you
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
20. Nothing is too hard for You
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
21. The Sovereign Lord is my strength
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
22. Love God with all your strength
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 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 12:28-30
23. I have overcome the world
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
24. Be courageous and strong
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. — 1 Corinthians 16:13–14
25. When I am weak, then I am strong
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
26. I pray He may strengthen you with power
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being — Ephesians 3:16
27. In His mighty power
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. — Ephesians 6:10
28. Through Him who gives me strength
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. — Philippians 4:12–13
29. Power, love, and self-discipline
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. — 2 Timothy 1:7
30. Serve with the strength God provides
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
Trusting in God’s strength makes all the difference
Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” This is a good reminder that Jesus calls His people to a life that is beyond their abilities. In our own strength, we cannot give, love, serve, or tell our story as we should. We need God’s empowerment in order to do God’s will.
We find that empowerment as we lean into the Lord through time in His Word, prayer, fellowship, and walking in faith and obedience.
The work the Lord has called us to isn’t easy and requires courage. If you feel like your nerves have been holding you back from sharing your faith, check out the post “3 Tips for Overcoming the Fear of Sharing the Gospel.” It will walk you through some ideas for stepping out in faith.
And if you’d like to follow this post up with a primer on the topic of anxiety and worry, take a look at 20 Bible Verses about Fear!
