I can do all things

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

This statement is, without a doubt, one of the profoundest, simplest, and most encouraging of all statements contained in the canon of Scripture. How many a soul has been revived; how many a spirit uplifted? How many a discouraged Christian has been gloriously helped by such a wondrous pronouncement? It cannot be told! The half is unknown! Only a portion is heard of it! Who can tell the number? For the Lord has here provided a generous helping of spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental medicine that never runs empty. It never needs a doctor’s prescription or a physician’s permission! All that is needed is to read the Great Physician’s manual! It is available! It is accessible! Use it today! For the apostle says, “I can do all things!” This means there is nothing I cannot do! All things! Everything is within reach! All things can be accomplished! There is nothing I cannot do without Him. Truly nothing! Let us not put exemptions and exceptions to this rule. Let us not place stipulations on this scriptural declaration. Let us not think that there is something, yea, anything that I cannot do when I have His help. For I can do all things!

Through Christ! What a promise! Because Christ is on my side and at my aid, I have no foe, enemy, or adversary that can thwart me. Because with Christ, He will freely give me all things! I can do all things through Christ. Now, this is a reminder to us of the frailty, inability, insecurity, and inadequacy of ourselves, and of the power, ability, security, and adequacy of the Savior that we call our own. Let us not think we can do it ourselves. We cannot! We must gain His help. We must acquire His divine assistance. For me to think that I could do all things on my own would be gross pride and foolhardy arrogance. It would be utter and base imbecility. I would soon find myself upon my face, in abject humiliation. The Lord will be sure it is so, that I may know my own weakness and His strength. But on the other hand, it is not prideful to say that I can do all things through Christ. It is not arrogant to confidently assert that I can do all things, as long as I speak through Christ, and all my confidence is placed entirely in Him. For then it is the absolute and precise definition of humility! All trust in Him! None in ourselves! Finding all power in Him, and looking for none in myself. May the Lord teach us to be confident in Him.

For “He strengtheneth me!” How we must thank the Lord that He gives us all the strength that we have! We have no strength or power apart from Him; for He is the source of all power, the spring of all life, and the fountain of all energy and strength. He is our strength! The Lord is our refuge and strength, as the Psalmist says. Look for strength in Him, and not in yourself or in others. Others may strengthen us, but it will only last if they have first been strengthened by Christ. Pray for strength today that comes from the Lord alone. For, make no mistake about it, He will strengthen you, and keep you strengthened, as long as you rely on Him, and not in yourself. And then, dearly beloved, you will be able to do all things!

“Father, we thank Thee for the strength that comes from Thee alone. We are seeking that strength today, for we confess that we have none of our own. We are impotent creatures with no power, ability, or fortitude to face the challenges and battles before us. But with you, we can do all things. We trust and rely completely on Thee now. All this we can do through Christ. Help us to do all things through Him today. These things we humbly ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.”