Today's Scripture
Strength in Christ – Philippians 4:10-13
10 I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it.11 Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
RJ's Devotion
What the passage says
V. 10 Paul says that he is with joy because of the people having concern for him. Paul is in jail, and even though he has strength in the Lord, he was utterly joyful of the concerns.
V. 11-12 What he need was not material support. He just needed to be confirmed that even though he was detached from the community, he ways still remembered as one.
V. 13. He assures the people that he can continue to be content with his situation.
What does the passage say to me/us?
Philippians 4:13 is a well-known Bible verse.
“I can do all thing through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NRSV).
We tend to understand this verse as a reason why we can achieve things beyond our reach. Yes, God may allow that to happen, but we need to see why Paul was saying this.
He was in prison, for sharing the Gospel. During his journey, he learned how to trust in the Lord, not to focus on the circumstances. He must have been tried, and out of that experience, he must have learned perseverance.
However, seldom during that journey, he needed confirmation that he was doing the right thing. That is when the concern of the community of faith encouraged him. Not because they provided, but because they reminded him of the reason to continue this journey. That was why he said, paraphrasing Philippians 4:13, ‘I can still walk in this journey, because of Christ. Thanks for your reminder.’
Were you becoming weary and lonely, in this journey? Remember that there is a cloud of witnesses praying and supporting you in the journey.
Do you have anyone to remind God’s will in their life?
Bring the joy of Christ to them today.
Prayer
Lord, be our vision and our strength. Help us to see you through the cloud of witnesses, and our community of faith. May I become a representation of your love to anyone who needs to hear your voice.
In your name, we pray. AMEN
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