He Who Strengthens Me
Minister Joaquin Chavez
Philippians 4:10-13
10 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. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 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. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
1. In any and every circumstance
- We can’t run from the trouble
- We can’t have strength without staying in the tough situations
- We must learn to find the good in the tough situation
- We must seek God’s strength to get through it
Acts 21:10-14
10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
2. Learned the secret to be content
Despite this, Paul wants the Philippians to know that his joy does not depend on the alleviation of his physical discomfort; thus, although he is in prison, Paul says that he is not in need. He has learned to be content in every circumstance. The term “content” was used by Stoic philosophers of Paul’s time to mean “self-sufficient,” and in their view this characteristic was the most valuable attribute of the wise person. Indeed, like the wise stoic, Paul does not consider physical deprivation an unmitigated disaster nor physical comfort the sign of success. But unlike the Stoic, Paul does not find the resources for this attitude in himself. They reside instead in the Lord, through whom he can face all things. NIV Application Commentary
- Money does not provide the security we want
- No meal quenches our hunger forever
- We don’t know how to cherish the low times for growth
- We are never content even when we get all the things we want
- Learning to always rely on Jesus brings us the greatest strength we could ever have
Or else, like Abraham, you could take a walk up into the mountains. You could say, “I see that you may be calling me to live my life without something I never thought I could live without. But if I have you, I have the only wealth, health, love, honor, and security I really need and cannot lose.” As many have learned and later taught, you don’t realize Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.
Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller
3. You do all things through him who strengthens you
Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
So, instead of praying, “please God, get me out,” getting frustrated because it's taking longer than you expected. Why don't you start inviting Him in? Saying, "Lord, thank you that you are with me at this challenging time. Thank you that you are with me in this anxiety, in this depression, in this addiction. Please give me strength when I am weak, love when I feel forsaken, and courage when I am afraid.” When you invite God in, you will feel his presence in a new way. [Application prayer]
- Can help you sleep worry free if you share your concerns before you go to bed
- Can help you trust in yourself as he reminds you, he made you special when you read the Bible
- Can fill you with hope when you read his promises, so you don’t give up right before your breakthrough
- Can give you faith to take it one day at a time when you read the characters faith that led them through their own hard times because God gave them all the strength they needed
- Can help you be content when you come to worship him and be reminded of how much he has already done in your life
- Can remove your fears of rejection when he reminds you that the results don’t define you
- When you read about how the Christian community looks out for each other because the Spirit is inside every believer, you can share your needs without fear of judgment and receive all the help you need
- Seeing how Jesus died for us even though we were enemies to God should give you confidence to bounce back no matter how low your choices bring you
- When you realize Jesus is at your side, you will leave behind any doubts that “you can’t” and start believing “We can do this”
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 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.
Questions
1. Do you feel that you must be self-sufficient to prove you are strong or are you comfortable being weak in areas and leaning on others?
2. When you are going through a hard time/situation, what is your first reaction?
3. Why do we not lean on God for more strength and try to do things in our own strength?