“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Saul of Tarsus had made a career of persecuting Christians. He later said, “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them” (Acts 26:9-10).
One day as Saul was on the way to Damascus to persecute more Christians, he saw a bright light from heaven. A voice asked him, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (Acts 9:4). Saul knew that God was speaking to him, and obviously God was displeased. He asked, “Who art thou, Lord?” (Acts 9:5). Imagine his shock when the voice said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest” (Acts 9:5). Saul needed to repent, recognize Jesus as God, and receive Him as Saviour for forgiveness of sins. He did, and Jesus saved him.
Saul (later known as Paul) started preaching about Jesus and suffered much hardship, but he did not regret it one bit. God used him mightily to reach people for Christ. Paul wrote thirteen books of the New Testament, so his words are still used today. Paul was grateful that the Lord gave him strength and grace.
Our opening verse isn’t just there for a history lesson about Paul. In fact, the Bible isn’t just a history book, although it is historical. The promises in the Bible are just as true for us today. That’s one reason God inspired the Bible writers to put down what they did: so even centuries after the fact, we could still claim His promises as true, trust in them, and rejoice in them. If Jesus gave Paul the strength to serve Him, then believers can trust the Lord to give us strength today to serve Him and live for Him, too.
Every promise in the Book is mine, Every chapter every verse every line,
All are blessings of His Love divine, Every promise in the Book is mine.
Every Promise in the Book is Mine by Rick Altizer
Living for Christ isn’t easy, but if Philippians 4:13 is true—and it is—then the Lord will give you the strength you need to serve Him and live for Him, even as a cop. You’ll face temptations on this job that most Christians won’t face. You’ll see things most Christians won’t see. You’ll deal with struggles most Christians won’t understand. You’ll likely even goof up at times, as all Christians do.
Yet nothing will happen to you, even on the job, that God doesn’t know about in advance and hasn’t addressed it somewhere in His Word so you could deal with it: “his understanding is infinite” (Psalm 147:5). That means that God knows all that will happen, and He’s given us provision in advance to deal with it when it does. Nothing will ever happen on the job, either, that Jesus can’t or won’t help you with. He said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:19). He walked on water, calmed a storm at sea, fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fishes, cast out devils, raised the dead, took all our sins upon Himself, died horribly, was buried, rose again, ascended into heaven, and is alive today. Yes, He can help you with any problem or challenge you face, even on this job.
Have you received Jesus as your personal Saviour? If you haven’t but want to know what that means, please click “Helpful Links” on the top menu and then “How Do I Go to Heaven?” on the dropdown menu.
Brian Miller 4/28/2017
Cleveland Baptist Church | 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 | 216.671.2822