Colossians 1:11 - Power To Endure Everything With Joy In The Lord.
Colossians 1:11 (GW) We ask him to
strengthen you by his glorious might with all the power
you need to patiently endure everything with
joy.
INTRODUCTION
Paul put into words his desire for the
Colossian believers. How high the ideal that these
words hold before the follower of Christ! They
show the wonderful possibilities of the Christian
life and make it plain that there is no limit to
the blessings that the children of God may
receive. AA471
COMMENTARY PEARL
There's a lot of "power" talk in our
household lately. My husband is investigating adding
solar power to our home. We're polar opposites in
our approach to this subject. While he's
studying solar panels, batteries, and inverters, I'm
listing the small appliances I'd like to continue
using.
Regarding power, I identify with the
comedian George Burns' wife, Gracie Allen, who
complained about her alarm clock not working. After
extensive interrogation, the problem finally became
clear when she naively explained, "I only plug it
in when I need it."
I have to constantly guard against
falling into that trap in my relationship with
Jesus. Just as Gracie's alarm clock wasn't working
because she only plugged it in when needed,
likewise, my connection with Jesus won't be powerful
if I'm only plugging in to Him when I need
Him.
I know that utilizing the power of the
sun is a worthwhile endeavor, but it's more
essential to stay plugged in to the power of the Son
of God - Jesus. This truth was reinforced when
I stumbled upon a website that posted this
acknowledgment: "Like the entire universe, this website is
powered by Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."
Yes, it would be nice to plug in to the
power of the sun. But, more importantly, I aim to
stay plugged in to the Son, my spiritual power
source, Jesus, whether I think I need Him or not.
Cassandra Tiersma
Faith Step: Set an alarm on your phone to
check in with Jesus twice daily to reflect on the
Son's Divine Power. Thank Jesus for the powerful
things He's doing in your lift. [Mornings With
Jesus 2023 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
COMMENTARY
"Longsuffering with Joyfulness"
"Strengthened with all might." This is
not might to speak hasty words, which hurt and
bruise others and which injure us more than anyone
else, making us ashamed when we think afterward of
what we have said. {HP 246.2}
"Longsuffering with joyfulness." Wherever
you are, you may be tantalized, and reproach may
come upon you. If I were to undertake to hunt up
a thousandth part of what has been said
against me, I should have no time to do anything
else. I have said, "God knows all about this, and
I will let Him take care of it." I am not at
all troubled by what other people say concerning
me If I lose my self-control, and flash out in
anger, I would in so doing give people some reason
to say that the representation of my accusers
is correct {HP 246.3}
Never should we lose control over
ourselves. Let us ever keep before us the perfect
Pattern. It is a sin to speak impatiently and
fretfully or to feel angry--even though we do not
speak. We are to walk worthy, giving a right
representation of Christ. The speaking of an angry word is
like flint striking flint: it at once kindles
wrathful feelings. Never be like a chestnut bur
{HP 246.4}
When others are impatient, fretful, and
complaining, because self is not subdued, begin to sing
some of the songs of Zion. While Christ was
working at the carpenter's bench others would
sometimes surround Him, trying to cause Him to be
impatient; but He would begin singing some of the
beautiful psalms, and before they realized what they
were doing they had joined with Him in singing,
influenced, as it were, by the power of the Holy Spirit,
which was there. {HP 246.5}
God desires us to be patient in
tribulation and affliction, content to rest in His great
arms of infinite love, believing that He is
working for us all the time. It is our privilege to
be joyful in the Lord. Let us praise Him more.
By our joyfulness we reveal that our life is
hid with Christ in God, that in Him we find the
most blessed companionship, and that through His
grace we have a living connection with heaven.
{HP 246.6}
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Colossians 1:11 - Waiting on the Lord or
Just Waiting?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221107-0824.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200909-0849.html
Psalm 27:14 - Waiting On The Lord.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190915-1300.html
Galatians 5:16 - Live by the Spirit.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221002-0835.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
