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Friends in Christ Weekly Message
November 20, 2004
We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy,
Colossians 1:11 (Message*)
The Christian isn't promised an easy life. Believers may face difficult circumstances because of our faith or for other reasons. But we don't face difficulties alone.
Paul prays that the believers at Colosse will "have the strength to stick it out over the long haul." Paul has suffered much for his faithfulness, and he knows that times may get difficult for this church. He hopes that their faith will not fade over time, regardless of circumstances.
It is important not only that we stick it out, but how we stick it out. We shouldn't be holding out grimly, gritting our teeth. We should have "the glory-strength God gives . . . strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy." This is a strength going far beyond what we can muster in our own power. It is not our strength, but God's strength that can come to live in us if we live in Christ. It allows us to withstand what would be unendurable without God's help. It is a strength in which our joy in the Lord survives whatever is thrown at us.
Will your faith last for the long haul? Will it persevere whatever the circumstances? Will it give you strength to endure the unendurable? Do you have a joy in the Lord which can not be quenched in any circumstances?
Bill Samuel
* The Message version ©2002 by Eugene H. Peterson.
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