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Day 3

Pastor Monica Lee

Topic: Strength

Scripture Reference: Philippians 4:12–13

Devotional:

Have you ever struggled with mastering something and someone walked up to you and said, “Hey, there’s a much easier way to do that—let me show you”? Suddenly, you found yourself enlightened and empowered, questioning how much improved your existence could have been if you had only realized this life-hack sooner!

Similarly, in Philippians 4:12–13, we see a wise and experienced Paul stepping in to help us out with a pro-tip. You see, Paul was deeply acquainted with the highs and the lows life can dish out: lack and plenty, pain and comfort, captivity and liberty, shipwrecks and spiritual mountaintops. Paul experienced much more than most, and he learned how to navigate both extremes. Advising from his vast array of life experiences, Paul shared that he had a secret, a life-hack, for anything and everything we could possibly encounter. So, what was this secret Paul wanted to impress upon us? When we depend on the Lord, He infuses strength for any and every situation we face!

Paul wasn’t speaking of his own enduring abilities. He didn’t have a secret super-strength of his own to draw on. Instead, he relied on our supernatural, strength-infusing God who had proven Himself faithful to uniquely strengthen Paul in everything He called him to. Because of this, Paul knew a stability that made him undaunted by his circumstances, and it diminished the power those circumstances had over him. In the same way, Paul knew that God would also impart a supernatural strength for us to endure—and even thrive—in the conditions and adversities we face. When the difficulties and unimaginables of life arise, just like Paul, we can depend on the One who holds and strengthens us in every situation.

It can be easier to embrace this God-infused strength when we’re struggling: when our health is failing, our job is threatened, our family is in turmoil, or we can’t make ends meet. But if we’re honest, there are times where we aren’t necessarily struggling: when our first world, comfortable life appears manageable and we seem less desperate to need or rely on Him. Paul had the same pro-tip for this season: You can only endure this season of highs by depending on the Lord’s strength. Paul learned that he needed the same degree of reliance upon God in the good times and bad. He knew that it’s logical to lean on the Lord in scarcity, but he wanted us Christ followers to learn we must rely on the Lord equally in times of highs and lows.

How desperately are you leaning on God for strength in this season? Wherever you find yourself, remember that your strength is found only in Him and through Him.