PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD -- Tomorrow:
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." (Colossians 1:9-11, KJV)
Devotion 24 of 32
STRENGTHENED WITH ALL MIGHT
" . . . Strengthened with all might . . . "
STRENGTHENED
To be "strengthened" is to be made strong, or enabled – made adequate for a specific task. Because we have the treasure of God in "earthen vessels" (2 Cor 4:7), dwelling in "houses of clay" (Job 4:19), we must be fortified with a strength that is not our own – a strength that cannot be supplied through natural resources.
There is no hope of being filled "with the knowledge of His will," having "all wisdom and spiritual understanding," walking "worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing," being "fruitful in every good work," and "increasing in the knowledge of God" if we are not strong! Such requirements supersede all natural abilities. No amount of education can produce such effects, or make one able to receive them from God. No amount of personal discipline, regardless how rigorous it may be, can put such noble objectives within our reach. The adoption of a theological system, or the tenets of a historical religious movement, cannot put this required strength within reach of the child of God.
Yet, these things are essential. They MUST be found in the people of God. There is no promise of good to those who have no knowledge of God's will. An eternal inheritance is not held out to a people who lack wisdom and spiritual understanding. Glory is not promised to those who are not pleasing to God in their walk of life. Jesus makes no commitment to bless those who are not fruitful, nor does He promise to abide with those who are not increasing in the knowledge of God. Search and see if these things are not true!
I do not believe the average American Christian has the faintest notion of the necessity of these things. That is why we hear so few prayers concerning them, and perceive so little effort to obtain them. People are being taught to rely on fleshly strength. They trust in scholarship, the studies and accomplishments of others, church identity, and even theological positions. Some rely on their training, their education, their natural ability, or their imagined mental capacity. Professed Christians are seeking "strength" from psychiatrists, counselors, educators, motivators, and the likes. They are going down to Egypt for help, and it is as vain a pursuit for them as it was for Israel (Isa 31:1). Formerly, the children of Israel tended to trust in horses and chariots "because they are many," and "horsemen because they are strong" (Isa 31:1b). They refused to look "unto the Holy One of Israel," and thus they failed miserably (Isa 31:1c).
It is totally inexcusable for such vain pursuits to be found within the church – the people who have been created for a habitation of God through the Spirit (Eph 2:22). Men may attempt to offer plausible explanations for the stunted growth in professing Christians, but there is no acceptable excuse for it. God has given us too much for His people to justify being spiritual midgets.
In our text, Paul is looking to the Lord to strengthen His people. It is the kind of strength that is required to safely navigate from earth to glory, and through time to the portal of eternity. He knew the people needed to be "strengthened" with a strength God alone can give.
God is not glorified by a weak and vacillating church that lacks the strength He alone can give. He has commanded His people, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, BE STRONG" (1 Cor 16:13). And again, "Finally, my brethren, BE STRONG IN THE LORD, and in the power of his might" (Eph 6:10). And again, "Thou therefore, my son, BE STRONG in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim 2:1).
Again, permit me to emphasize that this is a prayer for the whole church. It is uncomely for any member or group of members of an assembly to be weak, ineffective, and without strength! If you are a man, be strong! If you are a woman, be strong! If you are a young person, be strong! If you are an aged person, be strong! If you are a servant, be strong! If you are a leader, be strong! You do not have a right to be weak. Jesus died for you when you were "without strength" (Rom 5:6), but He did not do so in order that you might remain in that condition!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, raise up men and women of faith who will declare to Your people the need and availability of Your strength.