All Things

Paul said this in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  At the time Paul was grateful for the gift that he had received from the Philippians and he wanted to express it to them, but he also wanted them to know that he had learned to be content in whatever situation he found himself in, saying this in verse 11, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”  Paul knew he had to draw on the Lord’s strength.

Then he went on to say this in verse 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.”  Paul knew what it was like to be full and what it was like to suffer and to accept whatever situation he was in, and not only to accept it, but to be content in it.

We as believers will face many things in our walk with the Lord and we will have to learn some of the same lessons that Paul did.  Many people are losing their homes, their jobs and by the looks things may escalate, getting worse instead of better.  Many people don’t know what it is like to go without food for a period of time and really be in need.  Most of us are obese, living fat and sassy lives without much worry about when our next meal will be or where it will come from, but what if our resources dried up and we had to skimp on meals and other necessities, could we still be content in those kinds of situations like Paul was?  

Paul’s concern wasn’t for himself when he received the gift, but his concern was for the church and their willingness to give.  He said this in verses 16-17 in that same chapter, “For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.”  Paul was thankful and he commended the church but it wasn’t the gift that was the most important thing to Paul, it was their love and devotion that meant the most to Paul.

Then in verse 19 Paul said this, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Remember God supplies our needs, but not always our wants, although He may not supply them all in this life, some will be supplied in the next life.  

Christians will suffer and ultimately die because God doesn’t always intervene in those situations.  At the end of his life, Paul was beheaded and died, but he always thought it best to be with the Lord.  He said this in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”  I think that was Paul’s main desire from the time he had his encounter with the Lord on the Damascus road until he breathed his last breathe.

What about you?  Something to think about.  God bless and have a super day!!