I Can Do All Things

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

 

Philippians 4:13

 

       This verse has been repeating itself over and over in my mind today so I believe the Holy Spirit has a message for us.  When we say, I can do all things, and stop there, we are in deep trouble; for it is only by His strength this can be accomplished.  Oh, it is great to be confident but our confidence must be in the strength of the Spirit of Christ Jesus living within and not in ourselves!

       We falter many times when we forget the ending, “through Christ who strengthens me” by allowing our self-confidence to have control. Have you ever been guilty of this, I have?  The message in Numbers 13; speaks of the faith of Caleb when they had sent the children of the Israelites up to spy out the land of milk and honey that God had promised them, Caleb was the only one who returned that was filled with the faith that they could conquer the giants and take the land. It is a great story, but also an example of our little faith, when our reliance is not in what we can do but what God can do through us.

          As a child growing up in a Christian home, I was always amazed at the faith that my mother had. She truly believed there was nothing that could not be accomplished through faith in God. What an astounding faith heritage God has blessed me with and I am so very grateful.  It is so sad that many children today do not have this example as they are growing up for it makes a great impact on our lives as we mature.

       However……. I must add that even with this heritage I walked in my own will through many valleys “of the shadow of death” as God was molding and making me who He wanted me to be. It has been very painful but so very rewarding as I am experiencing the joy of the Lord in my life daily! 

“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”

Numbers 13:30