“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding—that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might according to His glorious power unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”
Colossians 1:9-11
He is the Source, Supplier and Supply.
There’s no question Paul loved the church in Colosse. His words to them in today’s “Morning Manna” are both simple and sincere. And, how we wish at times someone like Paul was praying for us! Glory!!
If the truth be known, there is.
Even now God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are interceding for us according to His Will (Rom. 8:26; Heb. 7:24-25). And, He’s even put legs to His prayers by assisting us in this process through His indwelling Holy Spirit.
Who of us doesn’t want to “be filled with the knowledge of His Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”? Who of us doesn’t want to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing”? Who of us doesn’t want to be “fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” in all we say and do?
We know the answer, don’t we?
We all do! At least those who are serious-minded Pilgrims and long to be “strengthened with all might according to His glorious power unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.”
The question is “How do we get there? How can we be ‘filled, fruitful, increasing and strengthened’ as Paul describes?”
The answer is through what Andrew Murray called “absolute surrender.”
And, someone else asks, “How can I do that—especially when there’s still way too much of me in me?”
Paul would answer “By daily being crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20). And, Jesus would answer “By denying yourself, taking up your cross daily and following Me” (Lk. 9:23).
And, you thought it would be easy.
Oh, dear Pilgrim, dying to self isn’t “easy;” neither is it quick or painless.
Neither was actual crucifixion on a wooden cross. Sometimes it took days; occasionally even over a week.
How much more so when it comes to “yet not I, but Christ Who lives in me.” That “might” which “strengthens us” is “dunamis” (“miraculous Resurrection power”) from which both words are taken. Thus, we are “powered by His Power”—His “glorious Power” (Grk. “kratos”—“dominion, vigor, strength, etc.”). Remember: There’s no One Who wants us to be “more than conquerors” (Rom. 8:37) than He does. Such Strength comes through surrender.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated December 5, 2009
