To Encourage You

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

As with any other form of written communication, when reading the Bible and individual statements within it, it is always wise to consider the context.  In an extreme example of this, the Bible says this about Judas: “He went and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5).  The Bible also says, “You go, and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).  Obviously, the context must be considered.  But this applies to every other thing we read as well.

For example, in the verse above, in which Paul says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me,” what is the context?  Does this mean I can clear 7 ft in the high jump because I know and love Jesus?  Can I climb into a fighter jet with no training and fly it?  Obviously not; yet I’ve heard people use this verse in a similar, if less extreme, way.  So, what is the context? What is Paul talking about in the verses leading up to Philippians 4:13?  Well, let’s see. 

In verses 10-12 Paul is talking to the Philippian church and acknowledging their concern for his situation in the prison from which he was writing to them. In these verses he tells them, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”  In other words, when Paul said he could do “all things” through Christ Who strengthened him, he was referring to dealing with any circumstances in which he found himself.  He was talking about being in need, or not.  He was talking about being in a situation like his current one of suffering in a prison, or in other, more preferable conditions of freedom.  He knew how to be content no matter the situation. He knew how to live in such a manner as to please the Lord both in times of abundance, when things were going well, and in times of need, of hunger, and of being “brought low.” 

With these words Paul is telling us that a Christian “has enough” in whatever situation he or she finds himself or herself in, because the believer is not alone in those situations; they have Christ Who has promised to meet their every need.  What a truth to hold on to in times of difficulty. What an encouragement to endure hardship, even when it seems we can’t possibly endure one more day – or even one more hour – of the circumstances in which we might find ourselves.  And we can endure victoriously, as we should, as we lean hard into the Good Shepherd who has promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us and that even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we need fear no evil, for God is with us. 

So, what about you?  Are you a believer, one who truly loves Christ, yet you find yourself right now it a confusing and even overwhelming situation and you don’t know how you’ll ever endure?  Well, if that describes you, know that God has told you by His true Word that you – yes you – can do this.  You can face this. You can make it through to the other side, not because you are strong enough, but because Christ, Who dwells within you, will give you strength.  And not only that, but Christ will also give you strength in any area of responsibility – in any circumstance – in which He has sovereignly placed you. He will give you strength to be the spouse you should be, the parent you should be, or the grandparent you should be. He will give you strength to care for an aging parent, to teach your Sunday School class, or obey any of His commands to you, such as to love your enemy.  We are never left hanging. We are never “on our own.”  We are never to worry about not being wise enough, or intelligent enough, or strong enough.  In fact, it is the very acknowledgement that we, in and of ourselves, don’t have “enough” to do anything in a way that glorifies God that is the key to navigating all that life hands us. 

When we pray and acknowledge our utter need for Jesus in every area and situation of life, it is then, that wonderfully, we will learn the absolute truth of His Word to us that “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” And it is then, with Paul, we can say “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong”(2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Praise the name of the Lord!