STRENGTH IN THE HEART (6)

“I can do all things through Christ who STRENGTHENS me” – Philippians 4:13

Paul the Apostle provides unique insight into additional Purposes of STRENGTH in the HEART: “I can do all things through Christ who STRENGTHENS me” (Phi.4:13). Although God can endow us with physical, mental, or financial strength, and even with strength to do the supernatural, these are not often His primary purposes for supplying strength to our hearts. In the context of today’s passage, Paul learned and shared the Secret of Strength in the Heart through Christ, that: Despite our situation, God’s Strength can keep us content in Him. Neither the sufferings nor the pleasures of life can compare to our riches in Christ. Through Christ we can remain constant, content, steadfast and at peace in every circumstance; faithful in the midst of life’s daily battles!

The term “all things” in Philippians 4:13 should be interpreted in context. It does not mean being able to do whatever we wish. Rather, it highlights three “things” we, like Paul, can do through Christ who strengthens us.

We can remain Content in all circumstances: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (v.11b). It’s easy in these perilous days to give in to anxiety, worry, and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. God didn’t design us to deny or ignore our emotions, but in Christ, nothing should ever shake our faith or keep us bound. Our minds must be renewed to line up our thoughts and feelings with the truth of God’s Word. Through Christ, we have the Spirit of power, love, and sound mind, not of fear (2Tim.1:7). Rooted in the Father’s Love, we can take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, not being swayed by mundane things (2Cor.10:5). Through the Spirit’s help we can be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1Cor.15:58).

We can have hope in times of lack: “I know how to be abased” (v.12a). We need material provisions to survive in this world, and society tries to define us by our possessions, such that lack of it gives a feeling of insecurity. But even when it looks bleak, Believers in Christ can respond in hope. We can choose to be thankful, remembering what God has done for us; how He has helped us through hard times and will again (vv.6-7). We choose to praise Him for riches He’s already given us. We remind ourselves that our loving Father owns the “cattle on a thousand hills” (Psa.50:10). Our material possessions do not measure our life’s wealth in God (Lk.12:15). The Father, who knows what we need, will provide if we “seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness” (Mt.16:33).

We can keep humble in wealth: “I know how to abound” (v.12b). It’s natural to be happy when we have money, but great wealth can ruin people who put their trust in riches (1Tim.6:10,17). God isn’t against wealth, but because He loves us, He warns us not to trust in it. Apart from God, it is impossible to remain humble and generous with riches. A rich young man had everything, yet felt empty. Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, and then he would find fulfilment. He went away sad, unable to part with his stuff. Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mt.19:24b). The “eye of a needle” was the smaller gate into a city used at night, which kept people within the walls safe from thieves. To use the gate, a merchant had to unload the camel, pass goods through the short gate, so that the camel could follow on its knees, free of any material goods. Wealth could keep people from God, except that “with God all things are possible” (Mt.19:26b).

Through Christ, we can find our greatest joy in God (Jh.4:34); and have all our need supplied according to His riches in Glory (v.19). Strengthened in our hearts, we can remain content in all situations, hope in times of need, be humble in affluence, and rejoice evermore.