“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13, NIV84)

 

Once again we have a very popular, and often quoted, passage from the pen of the Apostle Paul. Paul is nearing the end of his letter to the Philippian church and from his jail cell victoriously declares, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”  This is a pretty bold statement coming from someone who is in jail. But you see, Paul did not see his incarceration as a setback. He saw it as an opportunity. He saw every circumstance in his life as an opportunity to witness to Jesus Christ. Paul lived and breathed an intimate relationship with Jesus. I think he could have easily stated this verse in the negative and said, “I can’t do anything without his strength!” When Paul said that Christ was in him and he was in Christ, he meant it. Paul drew off of the strength of Jesus who was with him through every situation he faced. Zechariah says, “Not by might or by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts.”

 

It should be the same for our lives, too. We can rely on the same promises of God that the Apostle Paul relied on. The same Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. Jesus has also promised to be with us wherever we go. We can do all things through Him who gives us strength! This doesn’t mean that we will all become superhuman and perform feats like Samson. It may mean, simply but profoundly, that God will give us the strength to successfully endure the situation we are currently in. Paul wasn’t given Samson’s strength to break out of prison. He was given the strength to endure it and the sight to see that the spiritually incarcerated could be set free by one in chains.

 

May we know and experience the power of God within us. May we rely on His strength. May Paul’s words become our motto, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

 

Peace!

 

 

Pastor Tom