I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. -- Philippians 4:10-12
Look at what Paul is saying to the church at Philippi. He has learned to be content; whatever the circumstances. He knows what it is to have need and to have plenty. The issue is not what you have or do not have, but WHO you have in all situations. The next verse is 13, where he declares that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. Perhaps a better phrasing would be that he can endure all things through Christ who strengthens him. Paul is not speaking about "do" as an action word. He was not speaking about having to do something. Rather, he is speaking about the state of mind of being assured that Christ is working in all things.
Why is Paul making this point? God knows that we will have times in our lives where our focus is off of Him. He knows we have a propensity to worry about everything from material needs to safety, to relationships. God is saying here that we can do all things, or in all things, we can be sustained, but only through Christ who strengthens us to endure. Paul should know. He had been stoned, flogged, and shipwrecked. His sufferings were well documented yet here he is assuring us that he had figured it out! He had figured out how to be content through it all; Godly contentment! How? Through Christ of course! By turning his worries over to Christ. Jesus Himself said:
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. -- Luke 12: 22-31
Your Father knows what you need beloved. Just seek His kingdom and what you need, will be added unto you. His message to you today from Philippians 4:13 is not what you can do through Christ, but rather what Christ can do through you. What do you allow Him to do through you? It is God's hope that we can get to the point of being content in all situations, no matter how dire they may appear. Why? Because being content in the storm is the true measure of someone who is totally dependent upon God. Their circumstances do not dictate their joy but rather their joy from allowing God to work in them, dictates to their circumstances. The truth is that when we are totally dependent on God for our needs then they no longer become our primary concern. When they are no longer our primary concern, then God truly can strengthen us to work in our lives and to work through us. Then we can do all things.
Anthony Wade -- September 11, 2008
Edited - December 4, 2013
