“I can do all things?”

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)

In Northern Virginia there is no shortage of “traffic” stories.  So I would like to join in and share one of my recent experiences.  The other day I was driving along one of the busy roads in our area during the morning rush hour.  I noticed a car waiting to enter the road from the left.  Before I knew it the car darted out in front of the on coming traffic causing the cars to swerve.  Horns blowing and angry faces were the clear message to the reckless driver’s behavior.  As the car came across the lanes it ended up directly in front of me causing me to put on the brakes and barely avoid an accident.   Inches away from their bumper I noticed the reference to the above Scripture…PHIL 4:13.  Well, I thought, they sure are putting that promise to the test!

Now, I am sure that the driving habits of this particular individual were not the result of them “living out” their faith.  But it did get me thinking about how often verses like this one are misused and misinterpreted.  When the Apostle Paul wrote this verse he was telling the Philippians about the lessons that God had taught him about God’s provision.  In fact, he called it the “secret to being content in every situation” (Phil. 4:12).  Whether in need or enjoying abundance Paul knew he could make it through by the strength that comes from Jesus.  It was NOT a statement of how a Christian can be some sort of super hero that can leap tall buildings with a single bound.  It is NOT a verse about Christians being invincible.  It IS a truth that can give us encouragement and contentment in good and bad circumstances.  When things are not going well…when we are in need…hungry…hurting…this promise gives us the reassurance that we can make it through because of His strength.  Also, when things are going good and we are well…we are fed…we have the things we need…we are not hurting…this promise keeps us from thinking that it is our own strength that has accomplished these things.  In other words, this promise is Not about what YOU can do but what JESUS can do.  It is about Jesus and His strength.  It is about Him and your trust in Him…no matter how good or bad things are.

Even Jesus was tempted to take promises and test them in inappropriate ways.  Remember when Satan took Him to the top of the Temple and told Jesus that He should jump since the Scripture promised that He would be taken care of.  Jesus responded that He would not test God.  Jesus was reminding Satan that the promises of God are about God and not about us.  I think that we are tempted in much the same way when it comes to Phil. 4:13.

Let me say that we are encouraged to claim the promises of God and all the comfort that comes with them.  Our challenge is to remember that they are about God and His provision and not about us.  It is the first step in claiming His promises for you today!