I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13
This is one of my favorite verses. It is one of the very first verses I ever memorized. I remind myself of it all the time. However, I have learned there is a big difference between knowing it and living it. Countless times I have recited this verse when exhaustion has overtaken me or when the weight of the world seems unbearable.
When I have seen others struggling, I will remind them of this verse as well. When doing this at times I have seen it frustrate them rather than encourage them and I have thought why can’t I seem to do something if this verse is true? The answer is that we have quoted the scripture but not lived it.
The key to living this scripture out and see the manifestation of it in our lives is letting go. We need to let go of our preconceived ideas, our beliefs that things are impossible, our reliance on ourselves and those around us. We need to let go of what makes sense in our natural minds. We need to quit counting on our own abilities. Instead we need to walk in the spirit rather than the flesh. We need to count on and rely on God. We need to seek God, His council, guidance and strength. This is of course one of those things that is easier said than done.
When we spend time in the scripture and prayer and take time to listen, we will receive His guidance and council and can begin to hear God’s voice. When we spend time in his word and prayer and begin walking and living out scripture and opening our hearts and minds to Jesus, inviting Him in, we begin the process of walking in the Spirit rather than the flesh. Our will suddenly becomes what He wills and desires in our lives and things that seemed so important at one time no longer do.
Nehemiah 8:10b says “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” We find joy in Jesus by reminding ourselves of who He is and all that He has done. We can find joy in living out His will in our lives. Matthew 17:20 states “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
We need to truly trust the Lord and have faith in Him and who He is; the all knowing, all powerful, king of Kings, Lord of Lords and our Savior. We need to ask for and trust in His provision without being double minded (James 1:8). This joy and faith in Jesus becomes a supernatural strength that allows us to do all things in Jesus who gives us that strength. When we do these things, this is when we begin to live scripture rather than just knowing scripture. This is when we become doers and not hearers of the word only (James 1:22).
Written by Rebecca Murzin
