07.01.14 

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. - Isaiah 40:29 NKJV. 

It is God who arms me with strength…. - Psalm 18:32 NKJV. 

Bob Renning, 52-years-old, and his girlfriend were traveling on a Minnesota Interstate highway when they noticed a car on fire. They tried to attract the attention of the driver with no success. Soon afterwards, the burning car drove off the highway because of mechanical failure and died. Bob stopped his car and ran back to the burning vehicle. The driver of the stopped car, Johannes, was unable to open the doors or power down the windows after the car had lost power. Bob, as he was running toward the burning car, could see the flames and smoke filling the interior of the vehicle. As Bob was at first unable to open the door, he then was somehow able to force his fingers around the top of the car door and bend the door in half shattering the window. Johannes, after the car window was shattered and the door bent, was able to escape from the burning car. Trooper Zachery Hill, who responded to the scene of the incident, says about Renning, “He did an extraordinary deed, bending a locked car door in half of a burning car to extricate a trapped person.” Bob Renning said, “I’m still not sure exactly how I did it.” Johannes says that, “30 seconds more and I would have been done. He saved my life.” (Star Tribune; USA Today; TwinCities.com; FoxNews 07.01.14)  

In one article I read, Bob Renning, is referred to as a superhero. No doubt the rescue involved superhuman courage to run toward a burning car, which we all know can sometimes explode. It also required superhuman wisdom to know how to attack the problem, and then superhuman strength to bend the door down, and shatter the car window. It is well known, that the body and mind are capable of extraordinary feats of strength, wisdom, and courage. However, not everyone demonstrates those extraordinary attributes during times of trial and crisis.  

Most of us will never encounter a situation like Bob Renning did of a man trapped in a burning car. However, we will encounter situations in life that require superhuman courage, wisdom, and spiritual strength. As believers we know where to go for that courage, wisdom, and spiritual strength. The apostle Paul is an example of a person God empowered with the abilities needed to face the challenges of life. Paul was (2 Corinthians 11:22-33) persecuted, whipped multiple times, beaten with rods, stoned, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and even bitten by a poisonous snake. He endured riots, hunger, thirst, cold, and dangerous journeys. Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).” King David also endured and overcame extraordinary challenges. David praises God for being the source he needed to meet those challenges, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:2 NKJV).” 

Do you need superhuman courage? Do you need superhuman wisdom? Do you need superhuman strength? There is a source that has been found and proven to exist by countless servants of God. As David says, “It is God who arms me with strength.”