"Indeed, in Christ's strength, what cannot a man do?" - The Pulpit Commentary
While in Bible School (36 years ago), we had a guest speaker come through by the name of Danny Moe who had a great impact on our lives. He shared a particular story with us that was very moving. His brother was just killed in a plane crash. Despite this horrible tragedy, Danny was filled with great joy. When asked how he managed to be filled with such evident joy at this time, he shared the following song that the Lord gave him in the midst of his tragedy -
"My roots are in the river,
My roots are in the river,
My roots are in the river of God,
Troubles, trials, tragedies,
I'll be joyful anyhow,
My roots are in the river of God."
Believe me when I say this - this brother was not faking it! He was actually filled with incredible joy - despite undergoing the loss of his baby brother.
How was that possible?
We go to Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17 to find the answer to that question -
Psalm 1:2-3 says - "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Jeremiah 17:7-8 says - "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."
Danny Moe's "delight" was in the "law of the LORD." His pleasure, happiness, will, desire, affection, motive, and moving principle was on the side of God and His truth. In other words, he submitted to the guidance of the Word of God in all areas of his life. Consequently, he was likened unto a "tree" "planted" (settled fast) "by the rivers of water" where his spiritual "roots" drew life and freshness from an unfailing source - the source of all life - none other than the Lord Jesus Christ!
From these "rivers of water" - also typified by the grace of God - he received supplies of strength and vigor. He became likened unto the pine tree - the evergreen, if you will - which sends down so strong a tap-root that though an "avalanche" - having the potential to break the trunk - may come its way, it can never uproot the tree - for its "roots" are that deep!
Danny Moe experienced intense "heat" from the tragic death of his brother. He experienced the "year of drought" - which typifies all kinds of distress imaginable that could possibly come to the child of God - namely, the loss of a loved one, sickness, accident, hard times, losses through failure or the dishonesty of another, etc. Yet, he sustained no damage. His "leaf" - his profession of faith in Jesus Christ - did not "wither" or become unreal. He remained "green" - "evergreen" - strong, vigorous, fruitful, and flourishing. And all because of His connection to the Lord Jesus Christ - Who is the Word of God - and Who is emblematized by the "rivers of living water."
The Pulpit Commentary had this to say on the matter - "It is only in Christ, in spiritual union with Him, that the Christian is self-sufficient. His presence gives strength to do and suffer all things."
The Sermon Bible Commentary adds this comment - "Every man needs strength, but no man has within him strength equal to the demands that are made upon him."
We see another verse in the Bible that offers an explanation as to how Danny Moe could face the tragic death of his baby brother and yet be filled with an indisputable abundance of joy.
In Philippians 4:13, the Apostle Paul wrote - "I can do all things through Christ Which strengtheneth me."
From the start, we want to make a modification concerning this verse of Scripture. Although it is used by many as an encouragement in fulfilling dreams, climbing to new heights, or embracing destinies, we would do a great disservice to the Holy Spirit if we did not mention the context and original intent for this particular verse.
We cannot forget or overlook the fact that Paul wrote these words while spending time in a dark, dank 1st century prison. Life was cruel, hard, messy, thorny, unpredictable, at times unbearable, and chock full of disappointments for him. Yet, in spite of it all, he made this striking statement - "I can do all things through Christ Which strengtheneth me."
Just in case you may have forgotten some of the things that Paul encountered in his walk with the Lord, allow us to remind you of some of them -
2 Corinthians 11:23-27 says - "...in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness."
Now, while in prison, he writes these most telling words -"I can do all things through Christ Which strengtheneth me."
How could he possibly say this?
Once again, we look to nature for an explanation - as both David and Jeremiah did in Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 17.
All of nature depends on hidden resources. We have already seen that in the example of the great evergreen which sends its roots down into earth to draw up water and minerals. This tells us that the most important part of the tree is not the part you see but the one you cannot see - that is, the root system.
Paul said - "I can do all things" - because his spiritual "roots" were in the same "river of God" that Danny Moe's were. Although he felt weak in himself, Paul was able to rise superior to every condition that came his way - including being in prison.
He was able to boldly and confidently declare that he had strength for "all things" and that he was equal to "all things" that came his way. "Impossible" was not a word found in his vocabulary.
Knowing that Paul was just a mortal man, how could he utter such words?
The answer is found in the latter part of the verse - "through Christ Which strengtheneth me."
Through his connection with Christ, he came in contact with Omnipotence. Jesus, the Almighty, enabled him...infused him with supernatural strength...and put power into him. Through His mighty power and grace, Jesus transformed His servant into being - "more than a conqueror" - over circumstances that would normally "conquer" him.
As a Christian, you may be facing situations which could easily fall under the category of "all things" - such as problems, adversity, suffering, pain, trials, tribulation, heartache, loss, poverty, lack, disappointment, disillusionment, etc. God, the Holy Spirit, would have you focus on your "root system" today. Do not forget to Whom you are connected!
You are connected to the One "for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things" (Hebrews 2:10)... Who is "heir of all things" (Hebrews 1:2) ...Who "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11)...and Who will have the "preeminence in all things" (Colossians 1:18) - including the adverse conditions which come your way!
"Through Christ," you are equal to the "all things" that have come your way...are coming your way... and will come your way in the future. In fact, "through Christ," you are an "overcomer" - "more than a conqueror" - and "impossible" is not a word found in your vocabulary.
Your "roots" are in the "river of God." As a result, You have the potential of being an "evergreen" for God!
This Thanksgiving, our prayer for you is that you will encounter Omnipotence whereby you are lifted "above the shadows" into realms of glory that you never imagined possible.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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