By: Juliet Constantine
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)
The time had arrived. His faith had borne fruit. Many didn’t believe it was possible – but he did! The event was the installation of the 44th President of the United States of America. He wasn’t just another President. He was the first African American to be elected to the highest office of that land. Many didn’t believe that Americans would elect Barak Obama, a black man, to be President of their country. But some did; so much so that their involvement in the “Yes We Can” campaign mantra echoed loud and clear throughout all nations on earth.
“Yes I can”, he told himself, “Yes I can!”
He sought to convince doubters that he could take the office of President. He knew it would be difficult but it was possible. God granted him sweet victory – not just once, but twice.
The Apostle Paul, though he lived many centuries before Barak Obama, echoed a similar sentiment – “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me”. In encouraging the Philippians to be contented, he sought to give assurance that with God, all will be well. In spite of all the difficult challenges that he experienced, whatever state he was in, he learned to be contented because God was with him.
His encouragement to us is the same. Paul seems to be saying that irrespective of the challenges we will experience in this life (though difficult they may be), it is possible to keep our head above the water. In seeking to correct our doubtful attitude: we need to speak faith, to live faith, and to dream faith. Yes I can! Though difficult, with God’s help, it is possible. I can do it. I will make it.
For many, the path trodden had been rough and thorny. It seems that no matter how hard you’ve tried, it is even more difficult to breath, to keep your head above water. Your life may be filled with failures and disappointments. Maybe you’ve even started to believe that you’re not good enough and you cannot make it. The path ahead seems dark as you struggle to rid your system of drug abuse, sexual immorality, physical and emotional abuse, and the list goes on. Though the road ahead seems difficult, success is possible. Yes we can! You can through Christ. We can through Christ who strengthens us.
Don’t give up on life! Don’t give up on yourself! Don’t give up on your children, your marriage! Don’t give up on your God! Hold on a little longer! You can do it! You can make a difference! Yes you can! Just ask Jesus to hold your hand all the way, every hour of every day. He will help you to stand! He will help you to overcome any challenge you face! Yes, He will!!
We all make mistakes in our lives! Mistakes that we wish we could just punch the undo button and erase. It may seem difficult for us, but it is possible with Jesus Christ. Do you want a new start? Jesus can give you a new start. Yes He can. Just ask Him! Ask Him to forgive your mistakes and to give you a new start. It is possible. You can do it.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for strengthening us and making us over-comers in this life. Please help that struggling depressed soul who is bowed under the weight of life’s challenges to know that he/she can be victorious. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)
