RELYING ON THE STRENGTH OF OUR LORD JESUS

Philippians 4:10-14, "How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn't have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty." Although the church in Philippi supported Paul during his journeys to share the gospel and establish churches, Paul valued their care but found his security and contentment solely in Christ Jesus. Paul experienced difficult journeys, having almost nothing or everything. He experienced both hunger and having an abundance of food. He learned to live in adverse situations by completely trusting in the strength of the Lord. Our Lord Jesus gave him the strength to go through difficult situations.

There were times when all Paul had was his faith in the Lord. When he was imprisoned or being stoned by those who rejected the gospel and our Lord Jesus, he was able to persevere through it because He was literally trusting Jesus with his survival. It is important to emphasize that Jesus did not remove him from hardship, but instead, Jesus went through hardship with him and gave him the strength that he needed. Similarly, we must literally trust God in our struggles if we want to experience His strength. When we find ourselves in a situation that is too difficult to bear and do not have the answers, we must rely on the strength of our Lord Jesus. Our tendency is to run away when we face difficulties, but instead of running away, we must trust in God, knowing that he is going to be with us and give us the strength to go through difficult situations. Paul learned to be content in whatever situations he was in because he could do everything through Christ, who gave him strength. 

We can be content in every situation that we are in if we completely trust in the strength of our Lord Jesus. We can do all things through Christ, who gives us the strength, so let us keep on trusting, obeying, and serving Him.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Who can give me the strength that I need when I am struggling? What must I do when my problems are beyond what I can solve? Do I trust in the strength of God, or do I trust in myself?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for giving me the strength I need to face difficult problems. Please help me to always depend on you and never give up, but continue living out my faith in you. Thank you that I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. In whatever challenges I face today, please strengthen me and give me wisdom to go through them. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.