PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD The agent used to strengthen us is called "all might," or "all power" (NASB, NIV). Some, or a token of, "might" will not be sufficient for the task. The saints need "ALL might." The challenges of the faith-life are challenging, and samples of might will not suffice to address them. -- 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 26 of 32
"Strengthened with all MIGHT . . . "
The word translated "might" or "power" applies particularly to the Lord. It speaks of inherent power, or a power that is resident in, and originates with, the Lord alone. With men, such power is given to them. With God, it naturally resides in Him – thus He is the one who gives it.
The meaning of this text is that we are "strengthened" with God's own powerful nature. It is the same as saying, "strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might" (Eph 6:10). There is no limitation in this power. By it, the Lord is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Eph 3:20). There is no Divine requirement that cannot be met through this power. More emphatically, Divine requirements can ONLY be met through His power. "All might" means God has no reservation about conferring this great power upon us through our faith in Christ Jesus. It is "toward us," or intended to be employed by us.
HIS GLORIOUS POWER
" . . . according to His glorious power . . . " Other versions read, "the might of His glory" (ASV), and "the great power of His glory" (BBE). "Glorious power" is power that obviously comes from God and is resident in Him. It is power that is made known to us through experience, and for the purpose of fulfilling the will of God.
ACCORDING TO
Being "strengthened with all MIGHT" will be achieved through God's "glorious power." The New Revised Standard Version captures this perspective: "May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from His glorious power" (Col 1:11). Other versions read, "through His glorious power" (GENEVA), and "in accord with His glorious might" (NAB).
This is not a special power, but a particular working of God's power – a particular way in
which it is made known. It is "all might" that is devoted to meeting a specific objective. There are a number of things that are said to be accomplished by God's power.
1. "He draweth also the mighty WITH HIS POWER" (Job 24:22).
2. "He divideth the sea WITH HIS POWER" (Job 26:12).
3. "Man did eat angels' food: He sent them meat to the full. He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and BY HIS POWER He brought in the south wind. He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: and He let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations" NRSV (Psa 78:25-28).
4. "He hath made the earth by BY HIS POWER" (Jer 10:12).
5. "Behold, God exalteth BY HIS POWER: who teacheth like him?" (Job 36:22).
6. "He ruleth BY HIS POWER for ever" (Psa 66:7).
7. "And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us BY HIS OWN POWER" (1 Cor 6:14).
Something that is "according to" is something pertaining to, or joined with. In this case, the agent that is employed (glorious power) is tailored to produce the stated objective (all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness). It is particularly adapted for that work, which can in no way, or to any degree, be accomplished without that "glorious power."
The objective that will be revealed will not be accomplished through the kind of power that draws the mighty into His purpose. This is not the kind of power that divides the sea, or causes a south wind to bring in an abundance of quail. It is not the kind of power through which the world was made, or through which the Lord rules over all.
Those things can only be accomplished by the power of God, to be sure. But they are not the "glorious power" of our text. What is prayed for the saints can only be accomplished through a certain kind of Divine working – a working that is devoted to producing the desired effect.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, make me adequate to fulfill Your will in a way that pleases You.