In Philippians 4:13, Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The strength Paul spoke about was an inner power that sustained him even while undergoing the most serious physical circumstances (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-30; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10).Many present day Christians have neither Paul’s confidence, nor the strength of which he spoke. Perhaps it is because we do not know “how” Christ provides the necessary strength for us.
Let us list three biblical sources from which we receive strength from the Lord:
1) The Word of God — Paul tells us that the gospel is not only God’s power to save, but that we must continue in that gospel in order to be strengthened by it (Romans 1:16; Romans 10:17; Ephesians 3; Colossians 1:1-11; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 John 1:9).
2) Prayer — It is through the medium of prayer that Christians receive wisdom from above (James 1:5-6; cf. Proverbs 2:1-6), and from that wisdom, receive strength to overcome trials and temptations (Proverbs 2:10-20). Note that we must ask for wisdom “in faith” — the source of that faith being the Scriptures (Romans 10:17).
3) Fellow Christians — Our fellowship with other Christians of like faith provides us the benefit of bearing one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2; cf. Romans 15:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14), and receiving strength from one another (Hebrews 10:24-25; James 5:16; cf. Numbers 11:1-2).
Beloved, by studying and making application of God’s word, engaging in daily prayer to God, and by giving one another strength and encouragement, we build up a bond between us that will survive even the fiercest of Satan’s assaults (cf. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV; Hebrews 5:12-14; Philippians 1:3-6; Colossians 1:3-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3; Romans 16:1-20; 2 Timothy 1:16-18).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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