“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phil. 4:13)
As a new Christian there were several factors that helped me greatly, but none more so than meditating on this verse. I clung to it like a person clinging to a life-preserver alone on a storm-tossed sea. I was desperate. I was fearful of yielding to temptation and falling back into my old ways, so I quoted this verse over and over and prayed that God would help me. He did–and He will help any Christian. But we must make sure we don’t misunderstand it. William MacDonald explains:
It is easy to misunderstand a verse like this. We read it and immediately think of hundreds of things that we cannot do. In the physical realm, for instance, we think of some ridiculous stunt requiring superhuman power. Or we think of some great mental achievement that lies far beyond us. So the words become a torture to us instead of a comfort.
What the verse actually means, of course, is that the Lord will give us power to do anything He wants us to do. Within the circle of His will there are no impossibilities.
Peter knew this secret. He knew that, left to himself, he couldn’t walk on water. But He also knew that if the Lord told him to do it, then he could do it. As soon as Jesus said, “Come,” Peter got out of the boat and strode across the water to Him.
Ordinarily a mountain will not slide into the sea at my command. But if that mountain stands between me and the accomplishment of God’s will, then I can say “Be removed,” and it will.
What it boils down to is that “His commands are His enablements.” Therefore He will provide strength to bear any trial. He will enable me to resist every temptation and conquer every habit. He will strengthen me to have a clean thought life, to have pure motives, and to always do the thing that pleases His heart.
If I am not getting the strength to accomplish something, if I am threatened with physical, mental or emotional collapse, then I may well question if I have missed His will and am seeking my own desires. It is possible to do work for God that may not be the work of God. Such work does not carry the promise of His power.
So it is important to know that we are moving forward in the current of His plans. Then we can have the joyous confidence that His grace will sustain and empower us.
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
