The One Who Strengthens Me

4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

The Holy Spirit plays a number of roles in our lives. He is the One who turns our hearts toward Jesus Christ, causing us to be born again. He is the One who opens our eyes to the glory of our Savior. He is the One who sanctifies our souls, replacing evil desires and appetites with good and godly ones. He is the One who represents the presence of Christ to us: when we say that God is with us, He is with us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of adoption, who assures our hearts that we are God’s children, moving us to cry out, "Abba, Father!" He is the One who leads us: by sending impulses to us to do what God tells us to do in His word. He is the One who empowers His people for ministry, moving us to care about others and to step out boldly in the name of Christ. T he Holy Spirit is God’s pledge to us of the rich reward that is awaiting us, which is the fullness of God in Christ Jesus.

In this verse, though, we see yet another role of the Spirit in our lives: He is the One who gives us strength to go on, and to endure all things with perseverance. He is the One "who strengthens me" so that "I can do all things." In other words, if the Holy Spirit were not active in our lives to strengthen us, we would not be able to endure any trials at all. The slightest breeze would blow us over.

So many times fellow believers have said something like this to me: "I feel so weak, I feel like I’m hanging on by my fingernails. I keep calling out to God for help and strength, but He doesn’t answer." My response is to remind them that if God was not strengthening them they would have fallen long ago, and that the proof that God is answering their prayers is found in their continued survival. “God IS answering your prayers!”

But, of course, God wants more for us than mere survival. God wants us in all things to be content, to be joyful, to be thankful and enjoy the peace of the Lord. That is really what Paul is talking about here in Phil.4:13. This is the peace "which surpasses all comprehension" (v.7) because it is beyond what is merely human, it is the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. This is the joy that is called "the joy of the Holy Spirit" (1Thes.1:6) because it is something only the Spirit produces in our souls.

Lord, I am grateful for the strength You have given to me, even in the times I was feeling very weak. Surely it is Your grace that has brought me safe thus far, and Your grace that will lead me home. And when I am feeling weak, O Holy Spirit, help me to run to You, since You are the Source of all strength. Help me to not lose my joy in the face of pressures and trials. As the tribulations of this world push me down, hold me up by Your mighty hand, that many might see Your strengthening power at work in my weakness.