Be Contented

Focus: Philippians 4:13 - KJV

13. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:10-17

Many times, people quote our text to indicate ability to do wonders and at times, unconscionable things. The essence of the text is to draw the attention of the believer to the need to be contented in the strength drawn from Christ in whatever situation we find ourselves. It is not a license to lure people into wanting to believe they should be able to do the unthinkable. Rather, it is a reawakening to the fact that in this world there will be tribulations and that, nonetheless, Christ’s grace is sufficient for us to make us scale through the situations in victory instead of operating in murmurings and discontentment like the Israelites in Egypt. Hence, whether we have surplus to deal with and thereby abound, or we have little in our barns and have need to abase, we should be contented in either situation as we get confronted with it.

Paul was a preacher of the Gospel of Christ. He did not make himself a terror to the converts that he superintended as pastor or senior pastor for that matter. Those who ministered to his needs did it not by compulsion but willingly and he did show his appreciation. Those who did not think it right to do, he encouraged but never condemned or moved against them. Even though he felt entitled to their canal gifts having ministered to them his spiritual gift, he never compelled, demanded or maltreated any for not doing. Instead, he drew strength from Christ to be able to abase when the need was critical rather than go about like a mendicant in style. And everywhere he got ministered to, he blessed them with the blessing of the Lord. The ministering to, often times was done by sending others to him and not in some special visitation by him or his benefactor.

The Lord is saying to us today that it is very bad that we take the word out of context to suit our lusts. Even though there is nothing impossible for God to do, it is not a license for the believer to twist the word as if to use the same to hold the Lord by the jugular to compel the doing of something. Indeed, many have relied on the thoughts of some preachers to get so disappointed in God when what they assumed they would do became unattainable because they have failed to follow the precepts of God. It is important we take God for who He is and stop imputing things to Him that He never supported.

Please receive this:

From this day henceforth, the grace to be content in the strength of Christ, no matter what, receive in the name of Jesus. Whatever will test your faith in God to the extent of making you crash will never come your way in Jesus’ name. Every obstacle and high hill making it appear like you do not know God are destroyed for your sake today, in Jesus’ name. It is your time to shine. Therefore, receive the strength to be content in the face of tribulation so that you may fully overcome like Christ, in Jesus’ name.

Please share. God bless you.