WATCHWORD:
I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. Philippians 4:13 NTL
Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. 4 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ 5 I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. Job 42:1-5 NLT
Meditation:
Philippians 4:13
Philippians 4:13 is a favorite Bible verse for so many people. I’ve heard different versions of that verse, not necessarily as listed above but their own version, maybe with a secular twist, implying that God will give me the strength to live my life anyway I wish. Ever hear that?
Wherever in the world did we get the idea that we can take a verse from the Bible, and redefine it anyway we want to fit our circumstance? Oh wait, I think I know where, some televangelists have a remarkable talent to explain a passage in just the right way to sell their books. Oh, I’m such a skeptic.
On the other hand, some of my dearest friends wear bracelets which display Philippians 4:13, because they live it, just the way it is intended: That the Lord will give me strength to do all He asks me to, not wherever my wandering eye or thought takes me.
Paul’s words reflect a spiritual teaching that nothing is impossible with God. We see it reiterated in Matthew 19:26, Mark 10:27 and Luke 1:37. Paul repeats it in Romans 8:31, that if God is for us, who can be against us?
We can even dig deeper into the Old Testament where Jeremiah 32:17 tells us that nothing is too hard for the Lord. We see poor Job, even after all the adversity, declaring in Job 42:2, God can do anything. We should not leave out Joshua leading the people into the Promised Land, living out the conviction that God provides on time, in His time, every time.
The apostle Paul suffered through much violence and opposition as he spread the Word of Christ and we can fully understand what he was saying when he was convinced that the Lord would give him all the strength he needs to do what the Lord has asked him to do. We can see his confidence in the Lord throughout his writings.
This verse can easily be taken out of context, but that would distort the true message. Paul’s meaning is specifically referring to the ability of a Christian to be strengthened in order to carry out the Will of God, and to endure hardships and persecution. Despite well-meaning use of these words, this passage does not teach that a Christian is empowered to accomplish any task simply because they have embraced Christ. Read again the passage: I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. “…everything God asks me to” is a strong, telling phrase and defines the reason for help. So be it.
Bulletin Board:
A funny from a friend —
An Irish farmer named Paddy had an accident. He and his cow were hit by a truck owned by the Eversweet Company. He sued for damages and grievous injuries. In court, the Eversweet Company’s hot-shot lawyer was questioning Paddy:
‘Didn’t you say to the police at the scene of the accident, ‘I’m fine?’
Paddy responded: ‘Well, I’ll tell you what happened. I’d just loaded my fav’rit cow, Bessie, into da… ‘
‘I didn’t ask for any details’, the lawyer interrupted. ‘Just answer the question. Did you not say, at the scene of the accident, ‘I’m fine!’?’ Paddy said, ‘Well, I’d just got Bessie into da trailer and I was drivin’ down da road…. ‘
The solicitor interrupted again and said, ‘Your Honor, I am trying to establish the fact that, at the scene of the accident, this man told the police on the scene that he was fine. Now several weeks after the accident, he is in court suing my client. I believe he is a fraud. Please tell him to simply answer the question.’
By this time, the Judge was fairly interested in Paddy’s answer and said to the lawyer: ‘I’d like to hear what he has to say about his favorite cow, Bessie. He may answer.’
Paddy thanked the Judge and proceeded. ‘Well as I was saying, I had just loaded Bessie, my fav’rit cow, into de trailer and was drivin’ her down de road when this huge Eversweet truck and trailer came tundering tru a stop sign and hit me trailer right in da side. It were a terrible crash! I was trown into one ditch and Bessie was trown into da udder ditch. I was hurt, very bad like, and didn’t want to move at all. And, I could hear poor old Bessie moanin’ and groanin’. I knew she was in terrible pain just by her groans. Shortly after da accident, a policeman on a motorcycle turned up. He could hear Bessie moanin’ and groanin’ too, so he went over to her. After he looked at her, and saw her condition, he took out his gun and shot her between the eyes. Kilt her dead!
Den da policeman came across de road, gun still in hand, looked at me, and said, ‘How are you feelin’?’ ‘Now wot in the green of Ireland would you say?’
Prayer for Strength:
Lord, you are Holy above all others, and all of the strength that I need is in your hands. I am not asking, Lord, that you take this trial away. Instead, I simply ask that Your will be done in my life. Whatever that means, that is what I want. But I admit that it’s hard, Lord. Sometimes I feel like I can’t go on. The pain and the fear are too much for me, and I know that I don’t have the strength on my own to get through this. I know that I can come to you, Jesus, and that you will hear my prayer. I know that it is not your intent to bring me to this point just to leave me in the wilderness alone. Please, Lord, give me the strength that I need to face today. I don’t have to worry about tomorrow. If you just give me the strength that I need today that is all I need. Keep me from sinning during this trial. Instead, help me to keep my eyes on you. You are the Holy Lord, and all of my hope rests in you. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
