“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Tag Archive: strength
I am so glad I have boys.
Boys love to show how strong, fast and brave they are. They want to protect the world, rescue the damsel and save the day. Their heart’s desire is to be the hero and I tell you, a girl and the world wouldn’t mind being rescued now and then.
But because I have these boys in my life and am also married to one, I have been forced to become very familiar with all the great superheroes and villains; their powers, their weaknesses, their costumes and their movies.
I have now seen The Avengers movie more than once and I tell you, it is an absolutely outstanding movie and one I will watch over and over and over again.
The Avengers is a superhero action movie featuring Thor, Iron Man, Hulk and Captain America, who incidentally have movies of their own, but you don’t necessarily have to know about these characters before you see this movie…although I’m sure you’ll want to after you do.
But what I love so much about not only this movie, but superheroes in general, is how God’s character is revealed through them. The feelings we get and how we respond to watching these superheroes is exactly how we should feel about our amazing, wonderful, strong and powerful God and how He should be seen.
Let’s start with THOR as Wikipedia describes him: In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility.
Clearly resemblant of our creator…
“When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, And brings out the wind from His storehouses.” Jeremiah 10:13
“He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark.” Job 36:32
“Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud; He disperses the cloud of His lightning. It changes direction, turning around by His guidance, That it may do whatever He commands it On the face of the inhabited earth.” Job 37:11-12
And then there’s IRON MAN as Wikipedia describes him: Iron Man possesses powered armor that gives him superhuman strength and durability, flight, and an array of weapons. The armor is invented and worn by Stark. Iron Man’s standard offensive weapons have always been the repulsor rays that are fired from the palms of his gauntlets.
Like Iron Man, God offers strength, power and unique protection and also possesses a trait portrayed best by Stark; God wants our eyes focused only upon Him…
“Ascribe strength to God; His majesty is over Israel And His strength is in the skies.” Psalm 68:34
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5
“I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.” Proverbs 8:17
“for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” Exodus 34:14
Wikipedia describes the HULK as a gigantic, green, irradiated, mutated humanoid monster with incredible strength and an inability to control his rage. The Hulk is sometimes characterized as hyper-aggressive and brutal, other times as cunning, brilliant, and scheming. The Hulk possesses the potential for limitless physical strength depending directly on his emotional state, particularly his anger and is resistant to most forms of injury or damage.
Although the Hulk is typically cast as an anti-hero, our God portrays similar attributes; angry and wrathful, although rightly deserved…
“A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; The LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies.” Nahum 1:2
“for the LORD your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the LORD your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 6:15
“that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, so that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” Joshua 4:24
And I just love the way he takes care of a false god in the movie and the only two words he utters…
Saving the best for last… my favorite, CAPTAIN AMERICA. As described by Wikipedia, Captain America has no superhuman powers, although as a result of the Super-Soldier Serum and “Vita-Ray” treatment, he is transformed from a frail young man into a “perfect” specimen of human development and conditioning. Captain America’s strength, endurance, agility, speed, reflexes, durability, and healing are at the zenith of natural human potential. Rogers’ body regularly replenishes the super-soldier serum; it does not wear off.
Not only is Captain America a beautiful picture of the power and strength God fills us with, the captain is the epitome of all America and humankind holds dear; truth, humility, justice, strength, love and hope and is the best portrayal of God’s true character.
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
“… God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” Psalm 89:14
There is even one scene where the Black Widow is explaining to Captain America who Thor and Loki are, saying “they’re basically gods” and it was in Captain America’s response that had me cheering…
I serve an amazing God. The sacrifice He made for me is astounding, the love he has for me is astoning, and the fact that He made me and wants to use me is mind-boggling.
My God surely is an Avenger.
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I was watching a movie with my boys the other day, and it had dragons in it. Hunter asked:
“Mom, are dragons real?”
“Of course not”, I started… then God held my tongue.
The Bible does mention some large, strong, terrifying creatures. Of course, not the dragon that the prince saves Sleeping Beauty from… that strong, fierce beast with scales and breathes fire…
“Can you pull in the leviathan with a fishhook or tie down his tongue with a rope? I will not fail to speak of his limbs, his strength and his graceful form. Who can strip off his outer coat? Who would approach him with a bridle? Who dares open the doors of his mouth, ringed about with his fearsome teeth? His back has rows of shields tightly sealed together; each is so close to the next that no air can pass between. They are joined fast to one another; they cling together and cannot be parted. His snorting throws out flashes of light; his eyes are like the rays of dawn. Firebrands stream from his mouth; sparks of fire shoot out. Smoke pours from his nostrils as from a boiling pot over a fire of reeds. His breath sets coals ablaze, and flames dart from his mouth. Strength resides in his neck; dismay goes before him. The folds of his flesh are tightly joined; they are firm and immovable. His chest is hard as rock, hard as a lower millstone. When he rises up, the mighty are terrified; they retreat before his thrashing.” Job 41:1,14-25
Although I don’t know…maybe it is.
But, do you see in 2 Samuel 22, that the Bible references this same creature? Although this time, David is singing a song of praise…
“In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears. The earth trembled and quaked, the foundations of the heavens shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of breath from his nostrils. He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” 2 Samuel 22:7-10,16-17,20
God IS this creature!
When we are in trouble, scared or in need…
When we need God to intervene, or to save us…
He doesn’t ride in and save the day on a steed in a shiny coat of armor, sword in hand.
He saves us with the strength of a dragon.
I Spy God 