"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
Philippians is written at a time when Paul isn't sure if he will live or die. He is under house arrest in Rome, guarded 24/7 and may at any moment get the news that he is to be executed or released. Yet Philippians is anything but depressing. Twice he reminds his readers to rejoice in the Lord always. Paul is so focused on Christ that nothing else really matters to him.
We will have several verses over this year from Philippians, there are just so many great verses here, but we start with a short verse towards the end of the letter. This verse pretty well sums up Paul's attitude about all that is happening: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Last week we shared the verse that the Lord is near when we call on him. Do we truly believe that? What we see in Paul is someone who didn't just talk the talk, but truly walked the walked. It is easy to trust God when everything is going well. Obviously Paul isn't in one of those places. His life is on the line, not just jail, but would he even have enough food to eat. Yet in all this he said he is content. Why - because it isn't about him, his faith is in Christ, and in Christ he can do all things.
Next time you feel weak, or you don't know what to do, or if you can even do just remember it isn't you, it's Christ in you. Does Jesus have the power, then so do you, because he is the one giving you the strength. But you must trust him, not yourself.
Philippians is written at a time when Paul isn't sure if he will live or die. He is under house arrest in Rome, guarded 24/7 and may at any moment get the news that he is to be executed or released. Yet Philippians is anything but depressing. Twice he reminds his readers to rejoice in the Lord always. Paul is so focused on Christ that nothing else really matters to him.
We will have several verses over this year from Philippians, there are just so many great verses here, but we start with a short verse towards the end of the letter. This verse pretty well sums up Paul's attitude about all that is happening: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Last week we shared the verse that the Lord is near when we call on him. Do we truly believe that? What we see in Paul is someone who didn't just talk the talk, but truly walked the walked. It is easy to trust God when everything is going well. Obviously Paul isn't in one of those places. His life is on the line, not just jail, but would he even have enough food to eat. Yet in all this he said he is content. Why - because it isn't about him, his faith is in Christ, and in Christ he can do all things.
Next time you feel weak, or you don't know what to do, or if you can even do just remember it isn't you, it's Christ in you. Does Jesus have the power, then so do you, because he is the one giving you the strength. But you must trust him, not yourself.
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