The more I think about the things which the apostle Paul went through in his lifetime, the more I realize how powerful today’s verse is. Inverse 11 + 12: he writes, “Not that I speak from want; I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means (to be abased), and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstances I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.”
Many times I have seen the Lord’s Strength well up within me when I turned to Him for the courage which I needed. In Zechariah 4 – 6b: it says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts.” It is not by the might of one or by the power of many, but by the Spirit of the Lord that the work can be accomplished to this day, as we place our trust in God to do the work through us, and on our behalf.
Jesus says in John 14: 16 – 18: “And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” What hope and consolation we have in the Lord; His promises are ours for any and every circumstances we could possibly ever encounter.
Dearest Holy Lord Jesus: thank You so much for being with us every moment of every day. I pray for those who need to know Your lovingkindness today. I also pray that You will extend Your strength to those who have no Helper. For all those who have no earthly source of comfort, and need You to be their Strong Support and Place of Refuge. Psalm 71: 3: says, “Be Thou to me a Rock of Habitation, to which I may continually come; Thou hast given commandment to save me, for Thou art my Rock and My Fortress. Glory to You alone!
