God Speaking

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength”

(Philippians 4: 13)

I have been watching an advertisement that comes across my television, usually interrupting the news, but it started to grab my attention when I heard what a lot of the young people were saying, ”I can’t do that” and then in huge letters, 

Yes!! You Can!

I am not sure what the advertisement was aiming at, but the underlying message was clear if you think positive work hard you will achieve what you want to. This is a false idea. Life does not always plan out by our own efforts. Paul gives us believers a different message in his letter to the Philippians. He has learnt that his own efforts might be paltry, but God will give us all strength to perform his good works he has planned for us. God has given us all gifts, different ones for different people. In the book of Romans Paul tells us we all have gifts even though they differ from others 

“We have different gifts according to the grace given us…” (Romans 12: 6)

The Old Testament has fascinating stories of humans arguing with God that they cannot do the job God has chosen for them Moses is horrified when God tells him to speak 

“But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3: 12)

God answers, I will be with you and although Moses argues longer with God, we know how the children of Israel were freed from Egypt. God was with them! 

Again, we have the story of Gideon, a member of one of the smaller tribes who is so afraid of the enemies he was hiding inside to do the threshing in case he was seen. An angel comes to him and calls him an astounding name for Gideon to hear 

“When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!”” (Judges 6: 12)

Gideon is astonished at being called this and argues with the Lord and even puts God to the test, but with the help of the Lord this timid man leads the army to victory. Good story to read in Joshua 6.

Again, the mighty prophet, Jeremiah, is chosen by God but he too argues with God that he is too young 

““Ah Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”” (Jeremiah 1: 6)

With the strength God provided he went on to be an amazing prophet for the Lord 

These are wonderful stories to encourage us to face the challenges of life. The Lord has promised to never forsake us (Joshua 1: 5).

We all have gifts that we can use with the strength of the Holy Spirit to help us shine as true disciples of Jesus Christ and if we feel the Lord calling us to achieve something to further his kingdom and feel inadequate remember he will give us the strength to do it. 

We sing a beautiful song at our church that gives me the strength to keep going.

The joy of the Lord gives me strength