January 05, 2023 – Thursday
Philippians 4:13 NIV
13 I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Comments
Saw this on the wall in very large script letters at Soin hospital earlier this evening and decided I wanted to write about it. There, the NKJV was used. Believe they wanted to make sure everyone who read it knew the Him found in many other versions is indeed Jesus Christ when they read the verse by itself there on the wall.
Many people reading this on the wall of the hospital, if they are not Christians probably wonder how this works or how it would work in their life. Especially if they or a loved one if going through some real medical problems. Often time such problems create great concerns for those who visit and care for a loved one.
A believer, if they don’t recall the context of the verse will often go home and look it up. In doing so they will find Paul is thanking the Philippians for their concern for him. At first, they were unable to help him other than showing their concern, but later (v16) while he was in Thessalonica, they sent him aid more than once when he was in need. But the real context of this verse is when they were unable to send any help and he thanked them saying, 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
I had an echocardiogram today and the technician doing the work told me his favorite verses are James 1:2-3, 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. This surely fits with Paul’s comments with Philippians 4:13. James, like Paul, had some additional comments as he went on to write, 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6a But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt.
Why you must believe and not doubt comes in the rest of verse 6 along with verses 7-8, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
Going back to Philippians 4:13, 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Jesus offers not strength for those who do not believe or who doubt while saying they believe. Paul goes further than James in Romans 5 when he writes, 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Bottom Line: We may have very real trials and tribulations with real suffering, but Christ strengthens us throughout because of our faith. As a result, we are able to persevere to the end knowing our reward is eternity in heaven.
Prayer: Almighty God, Thank You for such powerful encouragement whenever we suffer through our trials and tribulations. Please grant us the wisdom to always remember the encouragement You have set before us. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek