I Know I Can

I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret to being content-whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.  I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.      Philippians 4:12-13 HCSB

At times, I have caught myself saying, “I can’t do this” or “I don’t now how much longer I can do this”.  But I have learned a few things in the last few years.  I have learned that if I am doing what God has called me to do, there is no limit to what I can do.  Not because I am so strong or so powerful, but I can do all things through Christ.  My strength comes from Christ, so therefore there is no limit.

In Corinthians 12:9 Paul writes, But He said to me, ” My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  So whether I am weak or strong doesn’t matter, because God will pick up my slack.  When I find myself saying that I can’t do something, I am immediately convicted.  Because in all honesty, what can I do anyway?  I am a mere mortal.  Every breath I take is given to me by God.  I get up and out of bed each morning because He allows me to do so.  So, if He calls me to do something I know that He provides the strength and endurance that I need to see it through.

Now both scripture passages this morning were written by Paul.  If you have never studied the life of Paul, you should.  While we don’t have time to do an in-depth study of Paul, I will cover the basics.  Paul was a well-educated man who came from a well-off, well connected family.  He spent his early years persecuting Christians and believed he was doing the right thing.  He was temporarily blinded by God on the road to Damascus and this changed his life.  He determined from that point forward to live for God.  He had a rocky start because many Christians feared him and did not trust that he had truly been converted.  He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, and spent a great deal of his ministry in prison all for preaching the gospel.   Once Paul converted and began preaching the gospel, he was unstoppable.  Even in prison, he praised God and sang hymns.  He never grumbled or complained.  This attitude led many others to Christ.  Paul was able to do the things that God called him to do because he knew exactly where his strength came from.

Often times when God calls us to do something, it is way outside of our comfort zone.  Why?  Maybe because it takes a lot more faith to do something that you know you can’t do on your own.  Maybe because it makes us rely on Him and trust in Him.  Whatever the reason, know that He will not call you to do anything that He doesn’t equip you to do.  Know that His grace is sufficient for you.  Know that His power is made perfect in your weakness.  Know that there is nothing you cannot do through Christ who gives you strength.

When you are feeling weak and powerless, I want you to remember a few things.  Remember the power and might of the God we serve.  This is the God that helped a shepherd boy conquer a giant with a slingshot.  This is the God that helped another young man survive a night in a lions’ den unharmed.  This is the God that helped three young men walk through a fiery furnace without even the smell of smoke on their clothes.  I promise you that your problem is not too big for Him.  When we draw our strength from Him, there is nothing we can’t do.

One thing all of these men had in common, they were living their life according to God’s purpose for Him.  My prayer for you today is that you know God’s purpose for your life and that you are doing your best to serve Him.  Know that He calls us to do the hard stuff, but He gives us the strength to complete the task.

Trust in Him and draw from His power and His strength.  Give it all to Him and know that you can do it, but you can’t do it alone.  If you want to be truly content, give it all to Him and trust Him to pull you through.

Have a great day!