Scripture: Philippians 4:13
I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.
Thought for the Day: To give me strength! The word we translate as strength from the original Greek is: Endunamoo. It is the same word we find in the book of Acts, shortly after Saul’s conversion (the guy who became the Apostle Paul). It is not a very common word, but it is used in Acts to describe Saul’s growing faith, and his capacity to teach and confound some of the religious leaders of the day. Now I believe that God provides strength for us in times of emotional despair and physical suffering, but I do not believe that’s necessarily what Paul was suggesting to the Church at Philippi (by the way, I’ll be in Philippi in five weeks). Earlier in the letter, Paul encouraged his readers to stand firm in their faith, which was done by focusing on: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise(4:8). To focus on this list is to place these essential ideas at the center of a person’s life. And for those who live the life of faith as described here, they tend to experience pushback. Living the Love First Lifecan be down right difficult, even risky in regard to a person’s relationships, job or even bank account. So when Paul declares to the Church at Philippi, “I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength,” he is stating emphatically his ability to maintain a life centered on God, and centered on the values of God which is everything that is holy, just, pure, lovely and worthy of praise.
Prayer: Provide me the strength, O God whose power is light and love, to do the work to which the life of Jesus beckons. Amen.
See You Sunday
