Philippians 2:13 AMP
[13] For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.
It is never about my ability or capacity, but it is God's enablement and empowerment that make the difference. If it was about labour or striving alone, there are many who work hard who would qualify for all that God gives. If it was about wealth or riches, many in the world today will be cut off from God's grace, and only the wealthy would appropriate all of God's riches to themselves. If it was about influence and clout, not many of us would even come close to earning salvation. Thank God for the grace that provides a level playing field for all men to be able to come near to the throne of grace. Thank God that the same opportunity given to the wealthy is given to the ordinary; the same access is given to the prince and the pauper. Let it be known today that my strength, ability or knowledge are just tools in the hand of God to fulfil certain parts of His purpose for us.
Do not depend on those gifts solely; do not think that they give you an edge over anyone who does not have the same gifts that you have. What does a man have that has not been given to Him by God? What gift can a man form for and by himself that can be of any use in fulfilling God's purpose, outside of God's inspiration, leading, direction and usage? That is the conclusion at the start of the verse above, and we will do well to consider the impact and import of this verse. It is God's expertise that can use the foolish things of this world to shame the wise, and the weak things of this world to shame the strong, so that no one can boast about anything before Him. It is NOT my strength. It is His ability, capacity and capability that make anything possible. The focus is on what goes on inside of me. His work is first IN me, before the power and scope of Hs work can be seen outside of me.
His work is strengthening, energizing, and creating in me the longing and the ability to fulfill His purpose, and for His good pleasure. There is a motivation that the Spirit births and sustains in those who are subject to His control and influence. There are times that you cannot explain how or where the energy comes from, but you just want to keep pressing on with the assignment that has been given to you. God is faithful; He will definitely provide that which is required for the successful completion of the work. After all, it is His work, His assignment, His platform, His material, and the target of the work itself are also made by Him and for His pleasure. Why would He not be invested in my success and victory? It does not serve God any benefit to keep me suffering; there is a plan and a purpose behind every pain He has prepared. I am confident that His presence in me will empower me for whatever comes my way. What of you? God's time of favour is here.
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