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God’s Strength
Read: Philippians 4:10-4:23
Any athlete or bodybuilder knows what it takes to develop his or her strength- proper nutrition and hydration to nourish the body and build muscle, a proper training schedule, and lots of dedication and time spent in practice or at the gym. If the proper components are there, physical manifestations will result. Even spending a fraction of the amount of time an athlete spends on a particular sport would result in great physical benefits including increases in strength and endurance.
If we dedicated just as much time and effort to our spiritual lives, imagine what would result. Developing our relationship with God requires feeding ourselves with the Word of God, Christian fellowship, and consistently spending time with him. Like training for a sport, it takes being intentional and dedicated. It’s striving to pursue a deeper relationship with God each day.
As a Christian, we don’t have to muster up our own strength or spend months trying to build it. Christ’s strength is available to us. Although we should be spending time with God to develop a deep, intimate relationship with him, because we are Christ’s followers we are given his strength freely to do what he calls us to do. Phil 4:13 says “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Does this mean as a Christian we can do anything and God will give us the power to do it? This verse is not saying that we can do anything we want. It’s a promise that God will give us the strength to do what he calls us to do. He will never call you to do something without giving you the strength you need to do it. When you reach the end of your own strength and ability, God gives you his strength to go on. If you feel God asking you to do something you’re not sure you can do, step out in faith trusting that he’s going to do great things through you and will give you the strength that you need.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Cor 12:9-10
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. I Peter 4:11
Reflect: Read Philippians 4:10-4:23 and reflect on the following questions:
- Has there been a time in your life when you did something not by your own strength, but by God’s strength and power working through you? How did it feel?
- How is God’s power made perfect in our weakness?
- Is there anything God has been prompting you to do (mend a relationship, reach out to someone, tell someone about Christ, step up to serve) that you haven’t done out of fear or doubt in your own ability? How might you need to get over your own doubts and by God’s strength let his power work through you?
Remember: Weekly memory verses
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Phil 4:12-13, NIV)
Going further: Pray about what you think God may be calling you to do today. Pray that he would give you the strength that you need to follow his promptings and that his strength would be made perfect in your weakness.
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