Colossians 1:11
"...strengthened with all might,
according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with
joy..."
Paul's prayer
for the Corinthian church is that she be strengthened by God to endure every
manner of trial which comes her way.
"all
might" means that every ounce of strength has been given.
"glorious
power" means that his power is perfect, good, and true.
"all
patience" means that there is not a single scheme of man nor hell which
cannot be endured. Not only endured, but endured "with joy." The
beauty of God's work is that it is a mighty and powerful work. His work is also
complete and leaves no room for improvement, for it is already perfect. Notice
that Paul prayed for this kind of patience to be given. Such joyous
living is not something man is born with, nor is it something which just
happens to fall upon some people. Rather, it must be sought in the secret place
of prayer with diligence.
God does not
desire that, as Christians, we live our lives without joy and without power. We
must strive to seek the Lord and He will pour out the infinite riches of
His grace toward us. I only dare speak the word "grace" because the
work of Jesus Christ allows me to speak it. I deserve nothing of the sort. All
I deserve is condemnation before a God who is "holy, holy, holy." My
wickedness of heart is a damnable abomination to a God who is infinitely good.
But Jesus Christ bore my sin, and God the Father damned His own Son on my
behalf, that the price I could not pay is now paid in full.
I will apply
this verse to my life today by praying for someone tonight regarding the
message of this verse: that he be strengthened by the Lord.
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