March 15, 2025

Psalm 138, 3 + 7a

Strength and horsepower

In the day when I cried, thou answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul. - Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me.

Dear Readers,

today's stamp and the Bible text have one thing in common: they are about great power, about strength. The “Shire Horse” on the English stamp is the largest breed of horse in the world. This large horse is a draught animal, and it has a great deal of strength. Years ago, when streetcars were still in fashion in London, they were pulled by Shire horses. These animals had the strength to accomplish this task.

The psalmist David experiences the way how God answers his call. God gives his soul new strength. Even when David must go through fear and hardship, he is given the strength to endure and get through it. God answers and helps in a very concrete way. 

Praying to God and asking him for help is not just a tranquillizer pill. It is a request for very specific help. Like David, I have experienced again and again how God has given great strength to my soul. He has given me the strength to overcome problems. He gave me new courage when I was at a loss or even helpless. He gave me the strength to overcome my fears and to continue my path with hope and confidence.

My first car was a blue Volkswagen Beetle. The car had 34 hp, or 34 horsepower. Back then, horsepower was the measure of energy. My father already had a VW Beetle. He had bought it second-hand with a mileage of 160,000 km! My father used to say proudly and with humor that his car had already driven around the equator four times. Even with only 34 horsepower, you could get far!

I think God gives us something like horsepower for our souls, to say it metaphorically and humorously. His strength gives us patience. It gives us staying power for the many challenges in life. With his strength, we get through times of spiritual desert and over mountains of problems.

My VW Beetle was a very thirsty car. I had to stop by the gas station quite often. The Shire Horse also needs to refuel and, like every horse, needs its food every day. Without energy, no one can move forward. That's why we need to talk to God, the Father in heaven, every day. Our Lord Jesus Christ encourages us to talk to him. We should come to him in prayer. He will listen and answer. I am convinced that with Jesus Christ on our side we will get as far as we can think of. At the end of our life´s journey, we will even meet both, the Lord Jesus and the Father in heaven. He gives us strength for our journey through life.

Thank you very much for listening to me. I invite you to the next short sermon on April 1. May our good God bless you. May he keep you in body, soul and spirit. May he give you strength and his peace.