Hear why Deuteronomy 33 is so important to Joni.
See a sweet photo of Joni and Celeste here.
SHAUNA: I’m Shauna with Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Thanks for listening today.
JONI: You may have already heard me talk about my friend and coworker, Celeste – and if not, I posted a photo of the two of us today at joniradio.org. Anyway, Celeste works in the HR department here at Joni and Friends, but on radio recording day, she comes into the studio to lead us all in prayer. And often, I feel a great need for strength and lung power and stamina when I speak into the microphone here. But Celeste is always ready with Deuteronomy 33:25. She’ll say, “Miss Joni, as your days, so shall your strength be.” That verse is actually a promise, an important promise that divine strength will be provided to us on a daily basis to meet the specific needs of the day. Often there are days when we need a lot of divine strength – maybe a spiritual battle is raging, or you have to watch all 3 grandchildren at once. Maybe you have to do caregiving all day, or there’s a strong temptation tugging at you. If we attempt to manage all these heavy-duty needs by ourselves, we’re going to fail. But God allows the circumstance so that we might come to him for divine strength. And he will give strength that is commensurate to whatever the need is. He is so gracious that way.
Now, Celeste doesn’t remind me of Deuteronomy 33 only on radio recording day. Every time I pass her in the hallway at Joni and Friends, her greeting is always: “Miss Joni, remember, as your day is, so shall your strength be!” And I’ll say in passing, “and I mirror that right back atcha, Celeste!” And I know that she’s grateful for the reminder. You see, she’s got cerebral palsy and walks with crutches. And she does so with great effort. We both know that a tough disability requires a lot of divine strength to get you through the day. And we’re both so grateful that as frail as our weak bodies may be, God matches that need with more than enough strength. It’s like the words of this old hymn:
Afflicted saint, to Christ draw near, Thy Saviour's gracious promise hear;
His faithful word declares to thee, That as thy day thy strength shall be.
Let not thy heart despond, and say, “How shall I stand the trying day?”
He has engaged by firm decree, That as thy day thy strength shall be.
Thy faith is weak, thy foes are strong, And if the conflict should be long,
Your Lord will make the tempter flee, For as thy day thy strength shall be.
Should persecution rage and flame, Still trust in your Redeemer's name;
In fiery trials that you should see? Still as thy day thy strength shall be.
When called to bear your weighty cross or sore affliction, pain, or loss.
Or deep distress or poverty, still as your days your strength shall be.
So, sing with joy, afflicted one. The Battle’s fierce, but the victory’s won.
God shall supply all that you need, yes as your days your strength shall be.
SHAUNA: Oh boy Joni that is beautiful and I can tell, it’s a very old hymn, but the music group Sovereign Grace has updated it, and they sing it so beautifully. And friend, you can easily find it on YouTube. And if Celeste were here at this microphone, she’d ask you to please remember that God matches His grace, His power and strength with whatever need you’re struggling with right now. Just know that help is where God is; indeed, your ever-present help, your divine refuge for every need. May God bless your day and thank you so much for listening to Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope.
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