Strength Over Struggle | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, May 18
Key Verses
Psalm 92:10; Revelation 13:1: Habakkuk 3:4; II Samuel 22:3; I Kings 2:28; Ezekiel 9:2;
Introduction - John
- Theme: Embracing the aggressive power of God’s salvation and strength.
- Psalms 92:10 – “But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil.”
- Salvation is an aggressive, powerful force that overcomes spiritual battles.
- The “horn” symbolizes concentrated, supernatural strength (e.g., Cape Buffalo’s horns).
Today we’ll explore the message, 'Strength over Struggle' by Jentezen Franklin. The message encouraged us that God can strengthen you with aggressive power from His hands. No matter what you face, a horn of concentrated, aggressive power and strength is available to you to overcome every struggle.
- What stood out to you from Sunday’s message?
Psalm 92:10-15
But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; with fine oil I have been anointed. My eyes see the downfall of my enemies; my ears hear the wailing of my wicked foes. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain, to proclaim, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and in Him there is no unrighteousness.”
Pastor Jentezen, in this week’s message, took us to a verse in Psalm 92 that God had given him in a time of need to unlock extraordinary power to overcome it. Verse 10 states: But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox. The key word here is ‘horn.’ It is not simple referring to an appendage on an animal but a representation of something God is giving us.
The term horn is used over 100 times throughout the Scriptures and is present in both the Tabernacle/Temple, as well as the Antichrist. It is a symbol of strength and power but more than ordinary strength, it is the symbol of extraordinary, unusual, and supernatural strength.
Pastor Franklin used the illustration of the cape buffalo in Africa to illustrate his point. It is not the lion, crocodile, hippo, or rhino that are the most dangerous animal. It is the cape buffalo, sometimes known as ‘black death’, which kills more humans each year than any other animal. This is due to its unpredictability, ability to double back on its victims, and its tenacity. But the real deadly strength is in its horns which are virtually unbreakable and capable of goring and tossing as much as 3000lbs of its adversary.
The spiritual power that we have been given is signified by the horns and capable of doing so much more than physical horns. The horn of Salvation, the horns of the altar, the inkhorn, the horns that sound the battle call, the horns of worship, the horns of anointing, the horn of power and authority. In all of these things we see the evidence of extraordinary supernatural power that the Enemy would like to claim, but our Savior Jesus Christ claimed it for us. Through His blood we have not only the strength and His divine power, but we have the victory that comes through Christ to us by His Spirit.
- Are you facing extraordinary spiritual issues that seem to be able to get between the seams of your spiritual armor?
- If so, what are they and have you experienced God’s supernatural strength to overcome them?
The Horn of Salvation
- Salvation is not weak; it conquers depression, fear, addiction, and temptation. 2 Samuel 22:3 – “He is my shield… and the horn of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:4 – Describes God’s power as horns coming from His hand.
- Believers should rely on the aggressive power of salvation to defeat the enemy’s attacks.
2 Samuel 22:3 “My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my Savior— from violent people You save me.”
This week, Pastor Jentezen spoke on the powerful phrase “Horn of Salvation.” In ancient times, horns symbolized strength, power, and victory. Horned animals like rams and bulls used their horns to dominate and defend—this imagery appears throughout Scripture to depict authority and aggressive strength.
In the Old Testament, God’s people were looking for a Deliverer—someone with divine authority to rescue them. This expectation is fulfilled in Jesus, the Horn of Salvation, who was prophesied to come from the house of David.
Luke 1:69 confirms this: “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David.”
While many hoped for a physical deliverer, Jesus brought far more: a spiritual victory. As Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but... against the powers of this dark world.” Jesus defeated sin, death, and darkness with divine authority. His life, death, and resurrection provided eternal life and daily victory for every believer.
The Horn of Salvation represents Jesus' aggressive power to break strongholds and destroy the enemy’s grip. His grace delivers us—and deals a fatal blow to our spiritual enemies.
Habakkuk 3:4 offers a powerful picture: “His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from His hand, where His power was hidden.” These “rays,” described as horns, symbolize power like lightning—hidden, yet deadly to darkness.
Deliverance is not something we can achieve on our own. It is only through a committed relationship with Jesus Christ that we find lasting freedom from the chains of addiction, depression, fear, and sin.
Pastor Jentezen summed it up this way:
“It’s not the preaching, it’s not the singing—it’s your response.”
Reflection Questions
- Who is Zechariah referring to in Luke 1:69 when he says, “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David”?
- What tools has the Lord given us to battle the power of the enemy?
- How is naming your struggle helpful in spiritual warfare? How can you combat it specifically using the Word of God?
The Horn of God’s Word
The Bible stands as a powerful and enduring source of strength for believers. It offers us resilience against temptation, weakness, and the challenges of a shifting world. The words of the Bible have withstood centuries of criticism, cultural upheaval, and persecution. It remains a steadfast guide that empowers those who engage with it.
Psalm 119:10-11 highlights the transformative power of internalizing Scripture—not merely reading or memorizing it but treasuring it deeply within our hearts to guard against sin.
“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:10-11 (NIV)
In an era without personal copies of the Scriptures and with widespread illiteracy, God’s people often memorized His Word and passed it down orally. The structure of Psalm 119, with each section tied to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, facilitated this memorization. Even that enabled them to “treasure God’s word in their hearts.”
Keep in mind that the Bible, God’s Word, paired with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, is the only reliable foundation for living a life that honors God.
- What practical steps can you take to “hide” God’s Word in your heart and apply it daily?
Hiding God’s Word in our hearts involves more than passive familiarity; it calls for active engagement through understanding, meditation, review, and memorization. These practices build a spiritual foundation, equipping us to resist temptation and align our lives with God’s will. However, knowledge alone is not enough. To fully harness the Bible’s strength, we must apply its teachings, making Scripture a living guide for our decisions, actions, and interactions.
- Share a specific Scripture that has empowered you to overcome a difficult situation. How did you put it into practice?
Challenge: Each time we open the Bible, we should approach it with a prayerful question: “Lord, what can I do to put this Scripture into practice today?” By doing so, we allow God’s Word to shape our character and empower us to live victoriously.
The Horns of Prayer and Worship
- Prayer and worship are aggressive, powerful acts that connect believers to God’s strength.
- The altar of incense represents worship as a sweet fragrance to God.
- Exodus 27:2 – Describes the horns on the brazen altar.
- Revelation 8:3-4 – Incense as prayers of the saints ascending to God.
- Persist in prayer and heartfelt worship to experience God’s power and victory.
God’s requirement for sin is death. In His mercy, God allowed the Israelites to offer a substitute sacrifice for their sins. The Brazen Altar, also known as the Altar of Burnt Offering, was the place where burnt offerings and other sacrifices were made. The altar was made of acacia wood and covered with bronze—a symbol of judgment in ancient times.
At each of the four corners of the altar was a horn, made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze. In the Bible, horns are consistently used to symbolize strength—a visible indication to the Israelites of the power behind their sacrifice. The altar served as a reminder of God’s judgment and the need for atonement. It pointed forward to the atoning work of Jesus Christ in ancient times.
Under the new covenant, Jesus provided the blood needed to atone for our sins. We are now covered by the blood of God Almighty. He is worthy of our praise!
Scripture encourages each of us to pray and worship God. We often sing of His goodness and mercy, and we declare, “Worthy is the Lamb!” Jesus rejoices in the unity and passion of His people as they lift their voices in worship. We worship to express our adoration and reverence to God. The Holy Scriptures continually encourage worship.
Romans 12:1, the apostle Paul teaches, “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
This scripture reminds us that worship extends beyond the sanctuary—it reaches into how we live our daily lives.
Worship is so much more than singing songs on Sunday to usher in the Spirit of God. It is a condition of the heart—a lifestyle that should carry into all our daily activities. Our all-knowing God recognizes the difference between genuine worship and mere lip service.
- What does it mean for me personally to “present my body as a living sacrifice” in my daily life, and how can I live that out more fully this week?
- In what ways might I be offering God lip service rather than genuine worship, and how can I align my heart more closely with true worship?
Conclusion
- God exalts the horn of His anointed through salvation, His Word, prayer, and worship.
- Encouragement: Believers should embrace aggressive faith, trusting God to renew their strength and bring fruitfulness.
- Take your pick of these verses for conclusion:
- 1 Samuel 2:10 – “He shall exalt the horn of His anointed.”
- Psalms 89:17 – “In Your favor our horn shall be exalted.”
- Psalms 132:17 – “There I will make the horn of David bud.”
Call to Action: Respond with aggressive hunger for God, prioritizing prayer, Scripture, and worship over worldly distractions.
For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. Psalm 89:17
A promise has been made by God to you. He is our glory and strength! It is only by His favor that our power and authority is exalted! It is through immersing yourself in His word, through prayer, and through worship that we open the door to experience this anointing from His “Horn of Oil”. God is calling us to embrace aggressive faith in Him. He is calling us to trust Him, renew our strength and be fruitful in all that we set out to do in obedience to His word. There is great power if we do not become complacent or allow the issues of this world to distract us from our role in God’s purposes.
The challenge that goes with this message is this: the most important part of this truth is not simply the Word that was shared, but how you respond to it. Redeem the time!! Have you grabbed hold of the horns on His altar? God is waiting for someone to call out to Him and say I will not let go until You bless me. Go after God!! Throw up the incense of your prayers! If you need a fresh anointing - go after Him!!!!
Call To Action:
- List some ways which you can personally grab hold of a horn that God has made available.
- How can you apply that truth and its power to your life to help you fulfill your role in God’s purpose?
Concluding Prayer:
Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, and the victory You have given us through Him. By His blood, You have given us the Horn of Salvation and the divine, supernatural power that comes with it. There is nothing on earth or in the spiritual realm more powerful than Your Horn of Salvation.
Neither death nor life, angels nor demons, the present nor the future, nor any power will be able to separate us from You. Help us to take hold of the Horn of Salvation and walk in that power against anything the enemy would use against us.
Help us to be victorious in everything You have called us to do, by Your Holy Spirit. May we boldly and faithfully serve You through it all.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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