7 Keys to remaining strong "all the time" :-)

The book of Judges can be seen as the level of joy of life among the Israelite of the day of Judges increasing or decreasing, all depending upon the level of the collective strength of the Israelite of their day increasing or decreasing.

The same is applicable to each individual.  So for a joyous life it is critical for one to keep the level of one's strength full tank.  

Question: How? Research on the life of 3 persons, Joshua, Gideon and Samson, yields 7 keys.

1. Love the Lord. -- The Scripture says those who love the Lord will be like the sun when it rises in its strength. Judges 5:31 

2. Capitalize on what you have.
Even a man who thought himself to be one of the weakest was able to go strong, just as it is written: "The LORD turned to him (Gideon) and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" Judges 6:14

3. Watch out for human pride.
Human pride sets man against the Lord, causing man to go downhill. For this reason the Lord asked Gideon to reduce the number of his army so Israel would not boast against the Lord saying, "We/I did it." Judges 7:2 The bottom line is man CANNOT save himself.

4. Watch out for human bravery .
The Midianites (offspring of the marriage between Abraham and Keturah) were brave. They had sort of the Samurai's hari-kari spirit. Think about what the two kings (Zebah and Zalmunna) facing execution said to Gideon in Judges 8:21. ["As is the man, so is his strength" means "Go ahead, kill us, for it is man's job." - God's word translation - ] And Gideon took their heads.

5. Faithful prayer (maintenance)
In a thirsty land when he grew exhausted, Samson prayed and the Lord provided him with water, so he could regain the strength. Judges 15:19 [Lehi = jawbones]

6. Consecration  to the Lord
Remember that Samson was Nazirite. In Hebrew Nazir means dedicated or consecrated. Devotion to the Lord means abstinence from what the world has to offer such as fermented drink or anything unclean. Read the story of Samson in Judges 13 and beyond. 

7. Watch out for fleshly women (or men)
You know the story of Samson and Deliliah for it is written: "Having put him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him." [And then his two eyes got poked out.] 16:19 [Note: fleshly men or women refer to those who live primarily on the fleshly dimension.]