Articles
Strength That Overcomes
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13).
As I think about these words, my thoughts turn to a passage from Romans 8:35-37: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?............Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. When we give ourselves completely over to the Lord, when we let his word fill our heart; when we let him mold our thoughts and guide our lives, when we seek those things above and set our affections on things above, he will give to us the strength to face anything (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-2; Psalms 27:14; Psalms 31:24; 1 Peter 5:10; Isaiah 40:28-31).
All the burdens of this life are only for a short period of time when we consider the eternity to which we will one day be ushered into. As we journey through life this physical body grows weaker as the days and years go by. On the other hand, our inward man is renewed and grows stronger with each passing day because we look not at things that are present and seen but through the eye of faith we look at that which is not seen, namely the splendor and glory of the heavenly home prepared for us (Hebrews 11:13-16; John 14:1-3; Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:2-9, Revelation 21:3-4, 22:1-5, Revelation 14:13).
Whatever we encounter, our Lord can impart to us the measure of strength, courage, hope and patience we need to sustain us (Philippians 4:-7, James 4:5-10). With every temptation, he will make for us a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13. When anxiety or frustration come into our lives, he is there to help us (Hebrews 13;5-6; 1 Peter 5:6-7). When our hearts become heavy, the days weary, our Lord becomes our source of comfort and deliverance (Psalms 23; Isaiah 12:2-3, Hebrews 4:13-16).
Seldom does a day pass that I do not find myself singing, “Oh, I am tossed about and driven by the foe, Sad within, without, wherever I may go: But I press along, still looking up in prayer, For it's home, sweet home, if Christ is only there. I will labor on till I am called away, Till the morn shall dawn of that eternal day, Looking unto Him who keeps me in His care, Anywhere is home if Christ my Lord is there” (John M, Henson). With the deepest conviction I say to you that so long as the Lord is with me I can face any challenge and say, "I can do this through him that strengthens me". I only pray that you have the same conviction in your heart.
Charles Hicks, Gallatin Tennessee
