Colossians [Day 3]
The Lord is my Strength
We have all had moments of weakness. There's no denying when we try to do everything ourselves, it always leaves us exhausted, burnt-out, and sick. Walking with Jesus doesn't make us feel strong all the time; but our faith goes beyond feeling. We know that when the Lord comes to our rescue, nothing can get in His way.
We know that the Lord's strength surpasses ours, so that our weaknesses are made perfect by and in His strength. Sometimes our hard times and troubles are exactly what we need to allow the Lord to reveal His power; at work in our hearts and in our lives. It's not easy dying to self; but it's made possible by our Lord God, so that we can share in Christ Jesus' inheritance.
Every day we're breathing is another opportunity for us to get closer to our Lord God. Another day that will be used to prune, discipline, and purify our hearts from anything that is not of the Lord. And yes, this hurts, but the Lord promises to be with us through it all; a promise I have yet to see Him fail on. His faithfulness surpasses anything I've ever known or experienced in my entire lifetime. What He does for one, He will do for all the ones He loves.
Let's get into today's Word for the day:
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, Colossians 1:9-11 NIV
For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully Colossians 1:9-11 CSB
'So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, Colossians 1:9-11 NLT
'For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; Colossians 1:9-11 NKJV
'For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things], so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]; [we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; Colossians 1:9-11 AMP
This continued prayer for strength, according to the Lord God's glorious might, let's us know we were never meant to do everything on our own. Our Heavenly Father is eager and pleased to help strengthen us, in the moments we don't see a way out of. Our Heavenly Father, loves us so much that He provides us with the endurance to keep going and press on; and with the patience to wait on His rescue.
'Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! ' Isaiah 30:18 NIV
Although sometimes in the difficulties, it may feel like the Lord has left and isn't around you anymore; the Truth is, He has sent us the precious gift of the Holy Spirit; and He will never leave us. The Spirit of our Lord dwells within us; and He is always a prayer and a cry out away from us.
Don't lose heart when it seems to be taking a while; but ask the Lord God for His strength, endurance, and patience so that you receive the fruit of the good works the Lord is doing within us. Blessed are those who wait on the Lord, because He is the only one that truly saves; and His help is better than anything we could ever encounter in the entire world.
- Challenge -
Meditate on this prayer; speak this prayer to the Lord. Allow Him into the areas of your life that you need revival in the most; and practice waiting on the Lord.
Read His Word until you receive the Word for you; and then allow God to confirm in other ways in your life; either through people, videos, signs; however the Lord speaks to You. He will be faithful in answering your prayers; even when you don't necessarily "sense" or feel His presence. In faith, ask Him for His strength to keep going, and see what happens.
- Closing Prayer -
Father God, You are so good! Not just in what You do for us daily, but in who You are, Lord God. I thank You for Your faithfulness and for Your goodness. I thank You for hearing us and allowing us to fellowship with You and truly know You. Lord God, I thank You for Your Word which is our daily bread; I thank You for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit, Who guides us in all the ways we should go.
I pray for those reading, that we all be strengthened in heart Lord God. I pray that we all would receive the patience and endurance to press on in this race You have called us to; Father God. I pray that Your love would be present in our lives; as we become reflections of You to those around us. I thank You, Lord God, for your unfailing love and abounding grace.
I pray that those who are mourning or in distress would be comforted by Your love, Lord God. I pray that those who are suffering through trials and tribulations, that they receive Your revelation for the fruit yet to come in their lives, Lord God. I pray that we all receive Your perfect wisdom and understanding of the will for each of our lives, so that we can walk in boldness and confidence, as we come to accept who we are in You, Heavenly Father.
I thank You for who You are, Father God. May every tribe and tongue worship You and praise Your Holy Name.
In Jesus' name. Amen.