All Things

"Not that i speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content; 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:11-13

What a statement to make, since Paul is writing this letter from prison. "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." If we could only say that today. Amazing. For most people, we complain if it doesn't rain, and then when it rains, we complain that we haven't seen the sun in days. If it is hot, we long for cooler days. When it gets cool, we can't wait for it to be hot again. If only I could learn to just be content. And I am learning, praise God. He teaches me this in many ways throughout the day. He allows a variety of situations to come into my life, so that I can learn to just be content in whatever the situation.

Paul was one who knew what it meant to go without, and yet, he also knew what it was to have more than plenty to meet his needs. But Paul had learned something. He had learned that regardless of his physical state, he could be content in the Lord. And that is where we need to be. Just looking to the Lord for our contentment, regardless of the circumstances or situations we find ourselves in. We need not be dictated by those exterior things. But we can just look to the Lord, and be content in Him. Was teaching out of 1 Chronicles 15 - 17 last night, and looked at David, worshipping before the Lord, and how central worship is to the life of the believer. Even when the Lord told David no, to a real desire he had in his heart, David didn't whine about it. He sat before the Lord and worshipped. Why? Because He is God, and we are not. And knowing that, we can find contentment in Him.

And notice, Paul writes that famous and often quoted verse: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. He doesn't say that he can do most things through Christ, and handle a few on his own. No. He says that whatever is put before him, whether it is his job, or his family, or the difficult boss, or that nasty neighbor; he can do all things through Christ. It is Christ who gives him his strength. Beloved, that is for us. Today. We too, can find our strength in Christ to enable us to do whatever is in our path this day. So be encouraged. The one who knows us best, loves us most. Just think about that one for a moment. We can look to Christ to strengthen us to do all things. Not just some things. But all things. This is a big encouragement to me, because sometimes I look at what is set before me in my life, and I think to myself, "Self, you cannot do this. It is impossible." It much the same as the children of Israel being led by Joshua 6 times around the city of Jericho, to get a good look at those walls, to be convinced that it was an impossible thing for them to do in their own strength. That is why they went around it so many times. So there was not a doubt in their mind that what was before them was impossible. But with God, all things are possible. And on the seventh time, just as God promised, those walls came crashing down.

What are you going through that seems like the walls of Jericho in your life? What in your life looks impossible right now? Know this. God makes things possible that seem impossible. And as we look to our Lord Jesus Christ, it is He who strengthens us, to enable us to do all things that are before us. Did you get that? I (we) can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (us). So be encouraged beloved, for the Lord our God is with us. Amen? Amen.