Colossians 1:11
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.
This is a portion of Paul’s prayer for the Colossian Christians. What a needful prayer! Paul was aware that a Christian would not be able to persevere in his life of faith and service unless he is endued with strength from his Almighty God. Every Christian needs to be empowered with the Omnipotent’s strength, which is infinitely greater than his own strength. A Christian’s personal strength is not equal to his challenges. Jesus said, “without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Our God is able to strengthen us. The psalmist said, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God” (Psalm 62:11). All kinds of strengths belong to Him – spiritual, physical, intellectual, moral, etc. He declares, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). Scripture also repeatedly declares, “Nothing is too hard for the Lord.”
He promises us not little strength but “all might, according to his glorious power”. Moreover, such supreme, immeasurable, eternal power of God will be continually made available to us. The Greek verb for “strengthened” is a present participle, and hence it suggests continued strengthening. He will continually strengthen us by His Spirit. In Ephesians 3:16, we are told “that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man”.
Like Paul, we too must covet greater strength from the Lord so that we might be stronger in our faith, hope and love. We need divine strength to be steadfast, useful and fruitful as Christians. When we are tempted and tried, let us pray for His strength, that we may be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (cf. Ephesians 6:10). When we have much to accomplish, let us appeal to the Lord for His strengthening grace. He will grant us the strength that we need to be good and kind, compassionate and loving, patient and forgiving, longsuffering and fervent, for His glory.
The result of His strengthening is “unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness”. “Patience and longsuffering” are most needful in this hostile world. Christians need His glorious power to forbear their sufferings. His strength will help us not only to patiently endure all difficulties, but also to endure them joyfully. Let us ask for His power to be patient and joyful.