Devotional: Lack of Strength

Colossians 1:9-12

Will has on a Tee shirt with these words inscribed: “I find your Lack of Strength disturbing.” Will has a personal trainer. Why does Will need a personal trainer I wonder? He looks pretty healthy to me. Is this a message to encourage others? Maybe it’s something that motivates Will to work harder. The truth is this. I do not know why Will has a personal trainer. Could it be that Will has a need and a desire to be stronger?

As I get older, I am learning to accept the fact that I am not as strong as I was ten years ago. However, I am determined to stay strong. I will not use my age as an excuse to be weak. I will continue to work to keep my body strong. Am I on an ego trip? Maybe, but I want to stay strong as long as the Lord gives me life. As Christians are we lacking in strength when it comes to our life in Jesus Christ? Are we weak and burnt out when it comes to taking a stand for Jesus? The scriptures attest to the fact that all of us need strength. How do we gain strength and maintain strength in spiritual things?

Paul writes to the church at Colosse because they are under siege. Their walk with Christ is under attack. There are false teachers that oppose the message of the gospel. Some members in the church are giving in to their attacks. They are too weak to fight. They lack strength.

Paul writes to the church to offer encouragement, motivation, and strength. First, Paul prays for the church. His prayer is that the Colossians will gain strength. In order to gain strength, like Will, they need a personal trainer that will guide them in their work outs. They need to do the right exercises. They need to do the exercises using the right techniques.

Paul offers the church some exercises that will strengthen them. He prays that they “may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (v. 9). This is a mental exercise. The right frame of mind leads to right behaviors.

The right behaviors include: “You will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (v. 10). The purpose is to please the Lord. The Lord is pleased when they bear fruit in every good work, and they continue to increase in the knowledge of God. They will be strengthened with the power of His might. The goal is to gain strength manifested in “steadfastness and patience; joyfully giving thanks to the Father” (v. 11-12).

Prayer: Father, we confess that we often are weak on our Christian journey. We pray that you will give us strength as we do the exercises that You tell us to do. Amen.