Devotional #9
Tuesday, 28 April 2026
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Philippians 4:13 (NLT)
βFor I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.β
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β’ My second favorite verse of the entire Bible. Truly inspirational. Truly motivational. Apostle Paul impressed me with this verse. Most people think they know the meaning. But it’s not what you would expect.Β
HΜ²iΜ²sΜ²tΜ²oΜ²rΜ²iΜ²cΜ²aΜ²lΜ² Μ²BΜ²aΜ²cΜ²kΜ²gΜ²rΜ²oΜ²uΜ²nΜ²dΜ²π: When writing this, Paul was actually in Roman prison, around 60-61 AD. He was facing persecution and even potential execution by the emperor Nero. However, he still send this letter to the Philippians, to thank them for their support during his hardships.Β
β’ Most people when reading this verse take it too plainly. They believe this verse supports they can achieve anything and can even obtain supernatural power in order to succeed in life. But this is not what God promises to us.Β
β’ CΝoΝnΝtΝeΝxΝtΝβοΈ: When reading in context (v. 11-14), we can clearly see that the meaning of this phrase is to showcase that we can ENDURE all things with Christ who strengthens us. That we can SUFFER and not give up or fail througout difficulties and pain. Therefore, this popular verse was never about promises of success, such as ‘I will pass my exams’ or ‘I will win this game’. It is a promise that we can have every kind of obstacle in the way, failure, loneliness, persecution, fear, but still never give up, thanks to the strength which our All-Powerful God provides. In other words, you can go through anything, good or bad, and still come out on top.Β
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When you are in a tough situation, when you are struggling, when you are questioning everything including your faith and God, when things take the complete opposite direction of what you’d expect, remember: God has given us power that surpasses all problems and obstacles we face in our way, and He promises not to abandon us, but take us to the promised place, whatever this means for everyone’s life.Β
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Heavenly Father,
We come before You today to pray that you may give us strength to endure all kinds of suffering and evil, and to never give up on You and Your plan for us, so that we may make it till the end, and complete our mission here on earth with success. We pray that you give us stronger legs, and not an easier path, because pain is what builds and transforms us, and it is a gift and blessing from You to grow stronger and closer to You, our Father.Β
In Jesus’
almighty name,Β
Amen.Β