ENDURANCE PROVIDED
11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully
Colossians 1:11 (CSB)
The apostle Paul prayed that the Colossians would gain strength from the Lord to stay faithful amid the trials and hardships they faced. He wanted them to experience the Lord's strength to develop the endurance needed to patiently handle life's struggles. His prayer emphasized that the Lord is the source of this strength and that the Colossians were recipients of His support. Today, we must also seek the Lord for the strength required to face our own hardships and trials, relying on His power for patience and endurance.
Strength From the Lord. Paul understood that the Colossians would encounter various trials, hardships, and challenges as they pursued following the Lord. These tough times would be opportunities to show their complete trust and faith in Him, resting in His strength and trusting Him to provide the necessary power to endure and overcome. Paul knew they couldn't handle these hardships in their own strength, so he prayed for them to experience the Lord's strength. Today, we also face different kinds of hardships and trials. These moments test our endurance, which will falter without the Lord's strength. We must pray and seek the Lord's help to receive the strength that only He can provide.
Strength and Endurance. Paul emphasized that it is the Lord’s strength that grants believers the capacity to withstand trials and hardships. He did not suggest that followers of Christ are exempt from difficult moments; rather, he believed that the ability to endure and prevail comes solely from the Lord. Paul reminds the Colossians that endurance involves walking through pain and struggle until reaching the other side. During this journey, the Lord sustains believers, especially when we face life's valleys. He provides the necessary strength for endurance, which enables us to endure experiences and grow closer to Him. Through His provision of strength, we develop greater trust in Him and deepen our relationship.
See the Glory. We need to recognize God’s glory during difficult times. His glory is revealed through the strength He provides in our lives. As we experience His work, our relationship with Him deepens as we learn to trust Him more. His strength is part of His glory, and it should move us to rejoice and worship. We should be grateful for His strength, which enables us to patiently endure and overcome challenges.
QUESTIONS
In what ways do we attempt to overcome moments in life through out own strength and fail to rest in the strength of the Lord?
What hindrances need removing to allow ourselves to rest completely on the Lord and trust in His strength alone?
