I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Everything God asks, calls for or commands can be done in the strength He Himself supplies, for nothing He requires lies beyond the help He provides, and that help comes through a personal Saviour who stays close as sufficiency, refuge, Teacher and Leader. Apart from Him nothing truly good or acceptable to God can be accomplished, since all human ability depends wholly on Him. That strength is received by feeling personal weakness and hanging the helpless soul on Him, abiding in Him, waiting on God in earnest united prayer and clinging to His hand and Word, while doing every possible part with energy and perseverance as He works with the effort and does what cannot be done alone. So claimed in confident faith, it brings victory over every temptation and trial without defeat, over bodily appetite and cultivated habit, over unruly tongue and temper and despondent thought, and over self and stubborn will, exposing the excuse of inability as unwillingness to resist. It also transforms tendencies and character into obedience and Christlikeness, supplies moral and intellectual power for gospel work and daily burdens and family training, and sustains in shame, imprisonment, sickness, weakness and discouragement to press forward with hope to the end.
Sense of the Words
All things means everything God requires, calls for, or commands, and the power to obey is included in the promise. Nothing He requires is beyond the strength and capacity He provides, nothing He requires is outside what is good for the believer and for children, and God never calls to any other work that would lead to neglect of duty. When the human will cooperates with the divine will, what is asked can be done in His strength, for His commands come with the power to obey them, supporting the determined pursuit of perfected character expressed in perfected action. That strength enables overcoming, enduring affliction for His sake, restraining and denying unsanctified desires, bringing the whole person under the Spirit's control, overcoming temptation by trusting the promises and using the Word rather than relying on circumstances or human ability, and standing boldly in faith to forsake sin, believe and walk in the truth, and advance in Christian character. A mother standing faithful at her post can by that strength train her own children physically, mentally, and morally, and may not shift this responsibility to others and leave them to do her work.
Through Christ means through a personal Saviour who is the believer's sufficiency, refuge, present help, Teacher and Leader, close by with complete and efficient aid. Working with Him as personal Saviour is the source of strength and victory, giving divine power in keeping with what will be used for good that blesses others and ennobles the one who serves. The life hidden with Him always has a refuge, and from that refuge receives strengthening power for every need, so that great possibilities and probabilities are open to all who make Him their sufficiency and trust. Through Him who is close by and supplies complete help, all that is needed in entrusted work can be done, with no more efficient aid required, as human effort works together with divine power.
Without Him nothing can be done that is good or approved by God, and all human ability depends wholly on Him. No holy thought or unselfish act in the work of salvation can originate in a person alone, and without Him people can do no good thing. Strength is power from on high received by waiting, being often in prayer, and being united in one accord, as shown by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, enabling the overcoming of personal infirmities, the rooting out of selfishness, envy and evil-speaking, becoming a new creature with love shed abroad in the heart, and fitness for saving others. His power must join human effort, so growth requires both reliance on Him and continued vigilance, clinging to Him and laboring with Him, receiving His vitalizing Spirit with deep, earnest, practical piety rather than mere form, and hanging the helpless soul on Him in felt weakness and longing for God instead of depending on self.
Paul's testimony shows that Christ's sustaining presence gave him strength for his many labors, enabling him to endure and accomplish what his work required. Faith in Christ gave him confidence to preach before Felix with such power that Felix trembled, and to present truth before Agrippa that fastened on him the conviction that Christ is the Son of God. The power of the Holy Spirit upheld him against the tide of persecution, and even when called to seal his testimony with his blood he glorified God, singing hymns of thanksgiving and rejoicing that even in dying he was a conqueror, proving that power sufficient for every necessity.
The verse is the confession of the weak, tempted, repentant and believing soul after genuine conversion. Saying it means looking to Jesus in dependence on His strength and not on self, with self hidden so that Christ alone appears, refusing to depend on self and hanging the helpless soul on Him in felt weakness. Falling on the Rock and being broken and coming into contact with Him brings currents of divine power into the soul, so that old cherished natural tendencies, habits and practices are changed by the Spirit, bringing a supernatural element into weak human nature that takes possession of the new heart. That work leads to appreciating every ray of light from the throne, catching the Spirit and principle of the holy law and conforming the life to Christ's character, casting out evils that possessed mind and will, breaking free from Satan's power, deception and false principles to forgiveness, and sharing in the divine nature.
How Strength Is Received
Strength is received by trusting Christ, feeling personal weakness, hanging the helpless soul upon Him, looking to Him, and abiding hidden in Him as the living Vine. He is the believer's sufficiency and refuge, and the life hidden with Him always has a refuge from which strengthening power is received for every need, with great possibilities open to all who make Him their sufficiency. Divine power is given in keeping with what will be used for good that blesses others and ennobles the one who serves, enabling workers to meet every burden and difficulty because Christ carries what human effort cannot, so reliance replaces worry. In felt weakness nothing can be done in and of self, and dependence must not be on self but on Jesus, whose strength makes every required thing possible, even raising above sickness and weakness to fulfill appointed work and to speak with strength, ease, clearness and endurance by the Holy Spirit and angelic help, out of longing for God. Falling on the Rock and being broken and coming into contact with Christ brings currents of divine power into the soul, so old cherished natural tendencies, habits and practices are changed by the Spirit, bringing a supernatural element into weak human nature that takes possession of the new heart to appreciate every ray of light, to catch the Spirit and principle of the holy law and conform the life to Christ's character, casting out evils that possessed mind and will.
Strength is received by waiting on God in constant earnest prayer, watching, being united in one accord, and clinging to His hand and His Word, which brings the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and power from on high. Through constant earnest prayer a mother can lay hold of God's strength for her demanding work, receiving wisdom, firmness, patience and self-control to meet the duties before her. That power from on high enables overcoming personal infirmities, having selfishness, envy and evil-speaking rooted out, being made a new creature with love shed abroad in the heart, and being fitted for saving others. A mother missing older children yet caring for a little flock needing much patient instruction can do the greatest work ever committed to mortals, disciplining and bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, not of herself but through Christ's strength as she clings to Jesus, walks in humility, watches unto prayer, receives promised grace, and is led instead of stumbling alone. Strong confidence in prayer that the Lord hears and saves, clinging firmly to His hand with unwavering confidence, supplies what is lacking to complete appointed writing even when physical limits are overstepped and the mind is burdened day and night, while remaining happy in the work.
Christ's power must join human effort, and the believer cooperates by doing every possible part with energy, moral courage, earnest effort and perseverance, doing best with entrusted talents, while God works with the effort and does what the person cannot do. No holy thought or unselfish act can originate in a person alone, and without Christ no good thing can be done, so spiritual growth requires both reliance and continued vigilance as people cling to Him and labor with Him. The growing Christian student advances step by step toward the higher, holier life, doing best with entrusted talents, realizing he is bought and is a laborer together with God, watching how God works, and striving to reach the possibilities held out before him while ever gaining a more complete knowledge of Christ. The repenting, believing soul has Christ as personal Saviour and source of strength and victory, with human effort working together with divine power. What God commands comes with the power to obey, so when the human will cooperates with God's will the believer can determinately pursue perfected character expressed in perfected action, and being linked with Christ supplies power for spiritual and temporal work despite limited, dependent human effort. This conscious power gives complete victory, enabling resistance to unlawful passions and cultivation of self-control, economy, industry, energy and noble qualities.
Strength comes through sufficient grace, the Holy Spirit, the transforming power of God's love ruling the heart, and partaking of the divine nature, bringing a supernatural element that changes tendencies, sheds love abroad, and makes love to Jesus seen in boldness, diligence, wisdom and joy. Burdens need not be carried in own strength, but with Jesus as helper everything required can be done, refusing to fret and offering praise instead, as His sufficient grace and the love of God ruling the heart bring all powers into obedience to His will and enlist them in willing, active service. In gospel ministry moral and intellectual ability alone is not enough, for ministers need godliness and the Holy Spirit's power to make work successful and present people perfect in Christ. Holiness cannot be achieved nor faults overcome by own wisdom and strength, but the Lord gives strength when humbly sought, and through divine grace and Christ's righteousness obedience can be made complete. Worshipers who surrender with all affections and desires are able through Christ abiding in the heart, by faith that works, for faith and works go together and faith is made perfect by works, even faith that works by love when hearts are aglow with love for Jesus as personal Saviour, doing God's work, resisting dissension, remaining one as Christ is one with the Father, putting away old passions, with the soul temple cleansed by the Holy Spirit.
The promise must be claimed with confidence and said continually to keep difficulties and impossibilities from the mind, advancing in faith, confessing and forsaking sin, believing and walking in truth with humble obedience, courage and perseverance. When temptation surrounds and circumstances exposing to it cannot be controlled, God's promise can be claimed with confidence that Christ gives strength to meet it, which is found by feeling own sinfulness and weakness and depending on God whose strength alone can save, so the person stands firm in faith. Workers can do God's work through Jesus giving strength, pushing the work unitedly in Christ's Spirit after praying and counseling together and laying plans, with personal views subordinate and Christ foremost, so truth as it is in Jesus is presented as a perfect whole by various workmen each acting his part. Of ourselves nothing can be done, but in Christ all things can be done, laying hold on Christ by living faith and keeping the right hold from above without presumption, rightly relating to health laws, avoiding overdoing, taking rest, not becoming nervous, while God does what cannot be done for self, bringing peace and rest with Christ as living guest in the family and angels' protecting care going out and coming in, lying down and rising up, as faith is kept in lively exercise and talked and acted rather than letting depressing feelings discourage and weaken faith. It is the bold confession of the faith once delivered that the Lord is helper and giver of strength for all things, calling the church to arise and go forward when sins are confessed and forsaken and truth is believed and walked in with humble obedience, a power the world cannot withstand that brings continual advancement in perfection of character and holiness from light to greater light in knowledge and love of God, calling for faith, hope, courage and perseverance without wavering or doubt because the work depends on God rather than human effort.
Victory Over Temptation
Christ strengthens believers to meet every temptation and trial, small and great, without defeat. Those who come in penitence and faith may rely on His protection, with the Holy Spirit as defense and Jesus staying beside those who are tested, rather than waiting until every difficulty is settled before looking to Him for help. His grace sustains through shame, reproach, imprisonment and pressure, giving strength to remain faithful and to face the future with confidence. This strength is cultivated through daily conversion and restoration of the moral image of God, so that smaller trials borne under God's control prepare for greater tests. Through faith in Christ and His merits, obedience to all God's requirements and keeping of His commandments become possible.
That same strength enables self-control over bodily desires and appetite, resisting corrupt impulses rather than yielding to demands for indulgence. Through Christ a person can resist evil and overcome inherited or cultivated sinful habits instead of relying on finite human power, with faith that He will provide strength and confidence to persevere. Control of natural appetites and passions brings the whole person under self-control. Christ resisted temptation in the wilderness and overcame on behalf of the human race, making divine strength available to those who turn to Him even when their own efforts are weak. Repeated failures and weakened confidence do not make victory impossible, for God is ready to impart the power needed to rule appetite and passion.
Victory over appetite for narcotics and stimulants, intemperance, and even long-confirmed tobacco use can be gained through Christ's strength. Christ is fully able to accomplish this victory, but He does not override the will or save a person against that person's will. The person must choose to cooperate, use human strength to resist and conquer, and work together with Him. His power joined with human effort can free people from intemperance, restore them to an honorable place in society, and enlarge their abilities and understanding of this life and the life to come. Through His strength a person can become a conqueror and finally receive the victor's crown.
Through Christ, thoughts and words can be brought under God's will. Unruly tongues, quick tempers and other sinful impulses are brought under control by looking to Him, with minds shaped to His character and the spell of the enemy broken. Emotions can be governed by reason, the tongue disciplined, and a hasty temper subdued into patience and gentleness, while voice, will, appetites and passions are restrained and self-denial practiced in submission to God. This includes strength to overcome despondency, doubt, discouragement, jealousy against brethren, and imprudent speech to believers and unbelievers, for without Him nothing can be done that is approved or acknowledged by God. Repeated failures are not a reason to give up, but a call to resolve again to be patient under provocation while keeping Christ as the example.
Those who fall under temptation can recover and overcome through Jesus' strength, with grace giving courage to keep striving after righteousness despite discouragement and failure. Reform cannot be accomplished by relying on one's own strength, but all things can be done through the strength of Jesus by being in Christ, with Christ in the heart, and relying on His promises. Jesus is the Helper who gives strength to overcome bad habits to everyone who prays to Him and relies on Him. Repeated human trying cannot break an overpowering infatuation that draws a person irresistibly, such as gambling, but prayerful reliance on Christ breaks it completely, so the person stays away from it and becomes disgusted with what was once fascinating.
Repentant people receive strength to break free from Satan's power and gain victory over deception, false principles and the moral pollutions of the last days, receiving forgiveness and sharing in the divine nature. Through grace and strength they can succeed in life, resist Satan's temptations, rise above natural weakness, and have moral character changed by love for God so they turn from sin. Temptation can be resisted and right actions done, not in personal strength but in strength God is ever ready to give. Trusting His Word ends the excuse I can't, exposing saying I cannot do this or that about things known to be right as unwillingness to resist the enemy. The call is to fight him in divine strength rather than remaining on Satan's side.
Christ gives strength for victory over self and selfishness in ordinary daily interactions, where dying to self and living for the good of others overcomes selfishness. Human effort alone cannot subdue a stubborn will, but by grace and help as wills are surrendered to God, people can overcome and reach God's ideal for them. Complete self-control is possible through strength from Jesus Christ. That strength keeps the higher powers and attributes in rightful control over the lower, enabling appetites and passions to be brought under control.
Growth Into Christlikeness
Through faith in Christ and His merits believers receive divine aid to obey all of God's requirements and keep His law. No one can obey by his own power or pay the debt incurred by transgression, for God demands perfect obedience which man of himself cannot render. Christ came in human nature to know the temptations and trials to which man is subjected and to bring power to obey, so that whoever accepts Him as a personal Saviour becomes an obedient subject of God's kingdom and overcomes every temptation of the enemy in His strength. In that strength it is possible to endure the test Adam failed and to avoid the disobedient knowledge that leads to eternal death.
What God commands comes with the power to obey, and when the human will cooperates with God's will what He asks can be done in His strength. Heavenly intelligences help those who by determined faith seek to develop perfect character, supporting the determined pursuit of a perfected character expressed in perfected action. Divine grace works through human effort to enable what God calls for, with Christ's patience and meekness shaping character as beholding and imitating His life renews in His image to reflect heaven's glory to others. The help needed for this life is found at the throne of grace, and this life of dependence is genuine sanctification, like a branch joined to the vine.
To say the verse is to confess dependence on a supernatural work that man can never work out for himself. After genuine conversion the weak, tempted soul falls on the Rock and is broken, and coming into contact with Christ brings currents of divine power into the soul so that old, cherished, natural tendencies, habits and practices are changed by the Spirit of God. A supernatural element enters weak and wicked human nature and takes possession of the new heart, to appreciate every ray of light from the throne of God, to catch the Spirit and principle of the holy law and conform the life to Christ's character, casting out the evils that possessed the mind and will. That power is received by waiting, being often in prayer and being united in one accord, as shown by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, enabling the overcoming of personal infirmities, the rooting out of selfishness, envy and evil-speaking, the making of a new creature with love shed abroad in the heart, and fitness for saving others. Through Christ thoughts and words can be brought under God's will, emotions governed by reason, the tongue disciplined, and a hasty temper subdued into patience and gentleness, and repeated failures are not a reason to give up but to resolve again while keeping Christ as the example. Looking to Jesus changes the beholder into His likeness and breaks the spell of the enemy, giving strength and trust to overcome despondency, doubt, discouragement, jealousy and imprudent speech, for without Him nothing can be done that is approved or acknowledged by God. No one can achieve holiness or overcome faults by own wisdom and strength, but when help is humbly sought divine grace and Christ's righteousness make obedience complete. By faith relying on God's power and wisdom it is possible to succeed in life, resist Satan's temptations and rise above natural weakness, with love for God changing the moral character to turn from sin.
Christ gives strength to resist evil and unlawful desires and passions, to bring unholy passions under control so that God's high, holy purposes need not be debased, and to develop noble, good character. This strength works together with human effort in conscious power to gain complete victory, cultivating self-control, economy, industry, energy and noble qualities. It overcomes character defects as His lessons are kept before the mind, for He gave His life that people might become members of God's royal family and be true to Him. It produces a life rich in good works and filled with the power of the Spirit. Connected with Christ, people receive strength, ability and efficiency to do the work God calls them to do, becoming a power for good and acting with truthfulness and integrity that give invincible moral power. Through His strength in consecrated obedience they remain steadfast, work together without accusing one another, and live with earnest yet gentle faith and charitable consistency.
Christ cooperates with the believer and gives strength to advance step by step toward the higher, holier life. Those who distrust themselves and shrink from care and responsibility can rely on God and receive strength to act responsibly and accomplish what they could not do on their own. Even a new believer can rely on Him to make steady spiritual progress, using entrusted abilities and pursuing a holier life without becoming self-sufficient. It is the confession of the growing Christian student who does his best with entrusted talents, realizes he is bought and is a laborer together with God, watches how God works, and strives to reach the possibilities held out before him while ever gaining a more complete knowledge of Christ. Through His strength believers advance in spiritual life and reflect His light to the world. A living connection supplies through His presence and Spirit what is lacking and equips for service, so that moral power keeps growing to understand more of God's character through eternity. It is the bold confession of the faith once delivered to the saints that the Lord is helper and giver of strength for all things, calling to arise and go forward, with power that comes when sins are confessed and forsaken and truth is believed and walked in with humble obedience and faith, a power the world cannot withstand that brings God's honor, working continual advancement in perfection of Christian character in the path of holiness from light to still greater light and increasing in knowledge and love of God to the close of probation.
Strength for Assigned Work
Philippians 4:13 means that through Jesus Christ who gives strength, workers can do the work of God and gospel ministry, and it is to be said continually to keep difficulties and impossibilities from staying before the mind. Moral and intellectual ability alone is not enough, for ministers need godliness and the Holy Spirit's power to make their work successful and present people perfect in Christ, and success depends on divine power through Christ as Teacher and Leader. Workers cannot accomplish their work by their own strength, but God provides the help they need, especially in times of trial, so that the risen Lord is the believer's source of strength for standing for God and the truth and laboring for Jesus. Its strength is for pushing the work unitedly in the Spirit of Christ after praying and counseling together and laying plans, with personal views kept subordinate and Christ put foremost in all things, so that the truth as it is in Jesus is presented as a perfect whole by various workmen each acting his part, with the missionary spirit revived.
Believers are not obliged to carry their burdens in their own strength, but with Jesus as helper can do everything required of them, refusing to fret and offering praise to God instead. Christ strengthens believers to bear their own responsibilities and burdens, including difficult work that calls for earnest effort, careful thought and prayer, rather than neglecting it or shifting it onto another person or onto a leader. By abiding in Christ and trusting Him, workers receive strength to meet every burden and difficulty, for Christ can carry what human effort cannot, so reliance on Him replaces worry and enables them to do what He calls them to do. Through Christ, who is close by and supplies complete and efficient aid, a person can do all things needed in the work entrusted to them, and Christ strengthens through His sufficient grace and through the transforming power of the love of God ruling the heart, which brings all powers into obedience to His will and enlists them in willing, active service.
Through constant, earnest prayer, a mother can lay hold of God's strength and receive help for her demanding work, including wisdom, firmness, patience, and self-control. God requires nothing that cannot be performed in His strength, and nothing He requires is outside what is for our own good and the good of our children. A mother standing faithful at her post can train her own children physically, mentally, and morally by that strength, and God never calls a woman to any other work that would lead her to neglect that training, so she may not shift this responsibility to others and leave them to do her work. A mother missing older children yet caring for a little flock needing much patient instruction can do the greatest, grandest work ever committed to mortals, disciplining and bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, not of herself but through Christ's strength as she clings to Jesus, walks in humility before God, watches unto prayer, receives promised grace, and is led by the precious Saviour instead of being left to stumble alone.
Christ gives the consecrated physician strength to meet the demands of his work, including delicate and perilous operations, and to act with precision and skill in efforts to save life, depending on Jesus for counsel and strength rather than relying on himself alone. Such physicians are consecrated to God, led and taught by Him, and bring no reproach on the cause of Christ, for in Christ people are enabled to do all things. They do not exalt self but walk and work with the eye single to the glory of God, remain true to principle and true to duty, and ever look to Jesus for His light, and as God has given such physicians in the past He can give them in this age.
Through His strength, believers can do the spiritual work of teaching others to struggle against and put to death the passions that heaven's light reveals must be overcome, and this same strength enables them first to resist and overcome those passions themselves.
In felt weakness a person can do nothing in and of self and must not depend on self but hang the helpless soul upon Jesus Christ, and Christ giving strength makes every required thing possible, including being raised above sickness and weakness to fulfill appointed work and to speak with strength, ease, clearness and endurance by the Holy Spirit and angelic help. That strength enabled the journey to Auburn, the completion and delivery of the paper, and victory over Satan's hindrances, for they walked by faith, trusting God rather than judging by appearances or outward weakness. Trusting God and keeping faith active, the travelers rode to obtain the paper, the husband gained strength along the way, and through Christ's strengthening they came off victorious and brought papers containing truth for God's people, completing their task despite illness, difficult travel and labor. That strength also sustained demanding daily labor in His service despite poverty and illness, as the worker prayed for help and relied on the Lord rather than his own strength to earn means for spreading the truth.
When people take hold of Christ as their personal Saviour, He enables them to do all things, including the self-denying work of helping those in need and living for the good of others rather than by their own power. Worshipers who surrender themselves to God with all affections and desires are able to do all things through Christ abiding in the heart, for faith and works go together and faith is made perfect by works, even faith that works by love when hearts are aglow with love for Jesus. Through Him believers do the work of God, resist Satan's work to cause dissension and weaken faith, remain one as Christ is one with His Father, put away old passions, and have the soul temple cleansed by the Holy Spirit. Connected with Christ, human nature becomes true and pure, and through His name and strength people can do what they are called to do, for God works for and through those who give themselves to Him without reserve, walk humbly, work in faith, and trust His power to supply their needs, and Christ supplies their efficiency, making them a power for good who act with truthfulness and integrity and invincible moral power, dying to self in ordinary daily interactions.
Endurance Through Trial and Weakness
Through Christ believers can meet every trial both small and great, for His grace sustains through shame, reproach, imprisonment and affliction for His sake and gives strength to remain faithful under pressure. Nothing He requires is beyond the strength and capacity He provides, so those who endure affliction for Him can overcome and face the future with confidence in Him as a present and sufficient help. Smaller trials borne under God's control prepare for greater tests, and this strength is cultivated through daily conversion and restoration of the moral image of God.
Trust in God through Christ's strengthening enables rising above past mistakes and failures and continuing to press forward in the Christian life. Those who fall under temptation can recover and overcome through Jesus, whose grace gives courage to keep striving after righteousness despite discouragement and failure. Even the tempted, erring, discouraged soul in whom there is nothing to recommend him to God can do better and become what God intends, because Christ died that he might be accepted in the Beloved and saved to the uttermost as he comes, takes hold of mercy and trusts forgiving power. In that strength hope inspires determination, opening possibilities, the heights to be attained, and a noble virtuous life, for Jesus waits to clasp the hand and give power.
Christ's power is sufficient in felt weakness where a person can do nothing in and of self, must not depend on self, but hangs the helpless soul upon Jesus. Distrust of self that shrinks from care and responsibility is met by reliance on God, raising above sickness and weakness to fulfill appointed work and to speak with strength, ease, clearness and endurance by the Holy Spirit and angelic help, accomplishing what could not be done alone. Even the weakest and most helpless disciple is not friendless, for Christ is with those who stay with Him to strengthen for labor and gospel ministry and to confirm the word spoken. God's wisdom, grace and strength are present help sufficient for every need, so that as servants rely on Him rather than insist on their own way they can serve faithfully and help others. Looking to Jesus overcomes despondency, doubt, discouragement, jealousy against brethren and imprudent speech to believers and unbelievers, changing the beholder into His likeness and breaking the spell of the enemy, while without Him nothing can be done that is approved or acknowledged by God. Love to Jesus exerts a wondrous power that cannot be hidden, making the timid bold, the slothful diligent, the ignorant wise, the stammering tongue eloquent, the dormant intellect alive with new vigor, the desponding hopeful and the gloomy joyous, leading its possessor to accept responsibilities for Christ's sake and bear them in His strength, not dismayed by tribulation nor turned aside from duty by reproaches.
The same Christ who guided Israel through the wilderness and gave victory over enemies is willing to help His people in their own struggles, enabling them in His power to reach the ideal of character set by His perfect example. Christ resisted temptation in the wilderness and overcame on behalf of the human race, making divine strength available to those who turn to Him to overcome temptation and appetite even when their own efforts are weak.
The verse is a living promise to be claimed near the end of work in this world while waiting and watching and praying and trusting, giving rich feasting on His word. Of ourselves nothing can be done, but in Christ all things can be done, with strength promised to God's workers for the work engaged in, including coming close to hearts in the family circle. The strength is received by keeping the right hold from above and laying hold on Christ by living faith, rightly relating to the laws of health without presumption, cautious about overdoing, taking rest when possible and not becoming nervous, while God does for workers what they cannot do for themselves. Receiving this strength brings peace and rest in Him, with Christ as living guest in the family and the protecting care of angels when going out and coming in, when lying down and rising up, as faith is kept in lively exercise, depressing feelings are not allowed to discourage and weaken faith, but faith is talked and acted to bring returns and blessing to worker and family.
Everything God asks, calls for or commands can be done in the strength He Himself supplies, for nothing He requires lies beyond the help He provides, and that help comes through a personal Saviour who stays close as sufficiency, refuge, Teacher and Leader.
Apart from Him nothing truly good or acceptable to God can be accomplished, since all human ability depends wholly on Him.
That strength is received by feeling personal weakness and hanging the helpless soul on Him, abiding in Him, waiting on God in earnest united prayer and clinging to His hand and Word, while doing every possible part with energy and perseverance as He works with the effort and does what cannot be done alone.
So claimed in confident faith, it brings victory over every temptation and trial without defeat, over bodily appetite and cultivated habit, over unruly tongue and temper and despondent thought, and over self and stubborn will, exposing the excuse of inability as unwillingness to resist.
It also transforms tendencies and character into obedience and Christlikeness, supplies moral and intellectual power for gospel work and daily burdens and family training, and sustains in shame, imprisonment, sickness, weakness and discouragement to press forward with hope to the end.
Sense of the Words
All things means everything God requires, calls for, or commands, and the power to obey is included in the promise. Nothing He requires is beyond the strength and capacity He provides, nothing He requires is outside what is good for the believer and for children, and God never calls to any other work that would lead to neglect of duty. When the human will cooperates with the divine will, what is asked can be done in His strength, for His commands come with the power to obey them, supporting the determined pursuit of perfected character expressed in perfected action. That strength enables overcoming, enduring affliction for His sake, restraining and denying unsanctified desires, bringing the whole person under the Spirit's control, overcoming temptation by trusting the promises and using the Word rather than relying on circumstances or human ability, and standing boldly in faith to forsake sin, believe and walk in the truth, and advance in Christian character. A mother standing faithful at her post can by that strength train her own children physically, mentally, and morally, and may not shift this responsibility to others and leave them to do her work.
Through Christ means through a personal Saviour who is the believer's sufficiency, refuge, present help, Teacher and Leader, close by with complete and efficient aid. Working with Him as personal Saviour is the source of strength and victory, giving divine power in keeping with what will be used for good that blesses others and ennobles the one who serves. The life hidden with Him always has a refuge, and from that refuge receives strengthening power for every need, so that great possibilities and probabilities are open to all who make Him their sufficiency and trust. Through Him who is close by and supplies complete help, all that is needed in entrusted work can be done, with no more efficient aid required, as human effort works together with divine power.
Without Him nothing can be done that is good or approved by God, and all human ability depends wholly on Him. No holy thought or unselfish act in the work of salvation can originate in a person alone, and without Him people can do no good thing. Strength is power from on high received by waiting, being often in prayer, and being united in one accord, as shown by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, enabling the overcoming of personal infirmities, the rooting out of selfishness, envy and evil-speaking, becoming a new creature with love shed abroad in the heart, and fitness for saving others. His power must join human effort, so growth requires both reliance on Him and continued vigilance, clinging to Him and laboring with Him, receiving His vitalizing Spirit with deep, earnest, practical piety rather than mere form, and hanging the helpless soul on Him in felt weakness and longing for God instead of depending on self.
Paul's testimony shows that Christ's sustaining presence gave him strength for his many labors, enabling him to endure and accomplish what his work required. Faith in Christ gave him confidence to preach before Felix with such power that Felix trembled, and to present truth before Agrippa that fastened on him the conviction that Christ is the Son of God. The power of the Holy Spirit upheld him against the tide of persecution, and even when called to seal his testimony with his blood he glorified God, singing hymns of thanksgiving and rejoicing that even in dying he was a conqueror, proving that power sufficient for every necessity.
The verse is the confession of the weak, tempted, repentant and believing soul after genuine conversion. Saying it means looking to Jesus in dependence on His strength and not on self, with self hidden so that Christ alone appears, refusing to depend on self and hanging the helpless soul on Him in felt weakness. Falling on the Rock and being broken and coming into contact with Him brings currents of divine power into the soul, so that old cherished natural tendencies, habits and practices are changed by the Spirit, bringing a supernatural element into weak human nature that takes possession of the new heart. That work leads to appreciating every ray of light from the throne, catching the Spirit and principle of the holy law and conforming the life to Christ's character, casting out evils that possessed mind and will, breaking free from Satan's power, deception and false principles to forgiveness, and sharing in the divine nature.
How Strength Is Received
Strength is received by trusting Christ, feeling personal weakness, hanging the helpless soul upon Him, looking to Him, and abiding hidden in Him as the living Vine. He is the believer's sufficiency and refuge, and the life hidden with Him always has a refuge from which strengthening power is received for every need, with great possibilities open to all who make Him their sufficiency. Divine power is given in keeping with what will be used for good that blesses others and ennobles the one who serves, enabling workers to meet every burden and difficulty because Christ carries what human effort cannot, so reliance replaces worry. In felt weakness nothing can be done in and of self, and dependence must not be on self but on Jesus, whose strength makes every required thing possible, even raising above sickness and weakness to fulfill appointed work and to speak with strength, ease, clearness and endurance by the Holy Spirit and angelic help, out of longing for God. Falling on the Rock and being broken and coming into contact with Christ brings currents of divine power into the soul, so old cherished natural tendencies, habits and practices are changed by the Spirit, bringing a supernatural element into weak human nature that takes possession of the new heart to appreciate every ray of light, to catch the Spirit and principle of the holy law and conform the life to Christ's character, casting out evils that possessed mind and will.
Strength is received by waiting on God in constant earnest prayer, watching, being united in one accord, and clinging to His hand and His Word, which brings the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and power from on high. Through constant earnest prayer a mother can lay hold of God's strength for her demanding work, receiving wisdom, firmness, patience and self-control to meet the duties before her. That power from on high enables overcoming personal infirmities, having selfishness, envy and evil-speaking rooted out, being made a new creature with love shed abroad in the heart, and being fitted for saving others. A mother missing older children yet caring for a little flock needing much patient instruction can do the greatest work ever committed to mortals, disciplining and bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, not of herself but through Christ's strength as she clings to Jesus, walks in humility, watches unto prayer, receives promised grace, and is led instead of stumbling alone. Strong confidence in prayer that the Lord hears and saves, clinging firmly to His hand with unwavering confidence, supplies what is lacking to complete appointed writing even when physical limits are overstepped and the mind is burdened day and night, while remaining happy in the work.
Christ's power must join human effort, and the believer cooperates by doing every possible part with energy, moral courage, earnest effort and perseverance, doing best with entrusted talents, while God works with the effort and does what the person cannot do. No holy thought or unselfish act can originate in a person alone, and without Christ no good thing can be done, so spiritual growth requires both reliance and continued vigilance as people cling to Him and labor with Him. The growing Christian student advances step by step toward the higher, holier life, doing best with entrusted talents, realizing he is bought and is a laborer together with God, watching how God works, and striving to reach the possibilities held out before him while ever gaining a more complete knowledge of Christ. The repenting, believing soul has Christ as personal Saviour and source of strength and victory, with human effort working together with divine power. What God commands comes with the power to obey, so when the human will cooperates with God's will the believer can determinately pursue perfected character expressed in perfected action, and being linked with Christ supplies power for spiritual and temporal work despite limited, dependent human effort. This conscious power gives complete victory, enabling resistance to unlawful passions and cultivation of self-control, economy, industry, energy and noble qualities.
Strength comes through sufficient grace, the Holy Spirit, the transforming power of God's love ruling the heart, and partaking of the divine nature, bringing a supernatural element that changes tendencies, sheds love abroad, and makes love to Jesus seen in boldness, diligence, wisdom and joy. Burdens need not be carried in own strength, but with Jesus as helper everything required can be done, refusing to fret and offering praise instead, as His sufficient grace and the love of God ruling the heart bring all powers into obedience to His will and enlist them in willing, active service. In gospel ministry moral and intellectual ability alone is not enough, for ministers need godliness and the Holy Spirit's power to make work successful and present people perfect in Christ. Holiness cannot be achieved nor faults overcome by own wisdom and strength, but the Lord gives strength when humbly sought, and through divine grace and Christ's righteousness obedience can be made complete. Worshipers who surrender with all affections and desires are able through Christ abiding in the heart, by faith that works, for faith and works go together and faith is made perfect by works, even faith that works by love when hearts are aglow with love for Jesus as personal Saviour, doing God's work, resisting dissension, remaining one as Christ is one with the Father, putting away old passions, with the soul temple cleansed by the Holy Spirit.
The promise must be claimed with confidence and said continually to keep difficulties and impossibilities from the mind, advancing in faith, confessing and forsaking sin, believing and walking in truth with humble obedience, courage and perseverance. When temptation surrounds and circumstances exposing to it cannot be controlled, God's promise can be claimed with confidence that Christ gives strength to meet it, which is found by feeling own sinfulness and weakness and depending on God whose strength alone can save, so the person stands firm in faith. Workers can do God's work through Jesus giving strength, pushing the work unitedly in Christ's Spirit after praying and counseling together and laying plans, with personal views subordinate and Christ foremost, so truth as it is in Jesus is presented as a perfect whole by various workmen each acting his part. Of ourselves nothing can be done, but in Christ all things can be done, laying hold on Christ by living faith and keeping the right hold from above without presumption, rightly relating to health laws, avoiding overdoing, taking rest, not becoming nervous, while God does what cannot be done for self, bringing peace and rest with Christ as living guest in the family and angels' protecting care going out and coming in, lying down and rising up, as faith is kept in lively exercise and talked and acted rather than letting depressing feelings discourage and weaken faith. It is the bold confession of the faith once delivered that the Lord is helper and giver of strength for all things, calling the church to arise and go forward when sins are confessed and forsaken and truth is believed and walked in with humble obedience, a power the world cannot withstand that brings continual advancement in perfection of character and holiness from light to greater light in knowledge and love of God, calling for faith, hope, courage and perseverance without wavering or doubt because the work depends on God rather than human effort.
Victory Over Temptation
Christ strengthens believers to meet every temptation and trial, small and great, without defeat. Those who come in penitence and faith may rely on His protection, with the Holy Spirit as defense and Jesus staying beside those who are tested, rather than waiting until every difficulty is settled before looking to Him for help. His grace sustains through shame, reproach, imprisonment and pressure, giving strength to remain faithful and to face the future with confidence. This strength is cultivated through daily conversion and restoration of the moral image of God, so that smaller trials borne under God's control prepare for greater tests. Through faith in Christ and His merits, obedience to all God's requirements and keeping of His commandments become possible.
That same strength enables self-control over bodily desires and appetite, resisting corrupt impulses rather than yielding to demands for indulgence. Through Christ a person can resist evil and overcome inherited or cultivated sinful habits instead of relying on finite human power, with faith that He will provide strength and confidence to persevere. Control of natural appetites and passions brings the whole person under self-control. Christ resisted temptation in the wilderness and overcame on behalf of the human race, making divine strength available to those who turn to Him even when their own efforts are weak. Repeated failures and weakened confidence do not make victory impossible, for God is ready to impart the power needed to rule appetite and passion.
Victory over appetite for narcotics and stimulants, intemperance, and even long-confirmed tobacco use can be gained through Christ's strength. Christ is fully able to accomplish this victory, but He does not override the will or save a person against that person's will. The person must choose to cooperate, use human strength to resist and conquer, and work together with Him. His power joined with human effort can free people from intemperance, restore them to an honorable place in society, and enlarge their abilities and understanding of this life and the life to come. Through His strength a person can become a conqueror and finally receive the victor's crown.
Through Christ, thoughts and words can be brought under God's will. Unruly tongues, quick tempers and other sinful impulses are brought under control by looking to Him, with minds shaped to His character and the spell of the enemy broken. Emotions can be governed by reason, the tongue disciplined, and a hasty temper subdued into patience and gentleness, while voice, will, appetites and passions are restrained and self-denial practiced in submission to God. This includes strength to overcome despondency, doubt, discouragement, jealousy against brethren, and imprudent speech to believers and unbelievers, for without Him nothing can be done that is approved or acknowledged by God. Repeated failures are not a reason to give up, but a call to resolve again to be patient under provocation while keeping Christ as the example.
Those who fall under temptation can recover and overcome through Jesus' strength, with grace giving courage to keep striving after righteousness despite discouragement and failure. Reform cannot be accomplished by relying on one's own strength, but all things can be done through the strength of Jesus by being in Christ, with Christ in the heart, and relying on His promises. Jesus is the Helper who gives strength to overcome bad habits to everyone who prays to Him and relies on Him. Repeated human trying cannot break an overpowering infatuation that draws a person irresistibly, such as gambling, but prayerful reliance on Christ breaks it completely, so the person stays away from it and becomes disgusted with what was once fascinating.
Repentant people receive strength to break free from Satan's power and gain victory over deception, false principles and the moral pollutions of the last days, receiving forgiveness and sharing in the divine nature. Through grace and strength they can succeed in life, resist Satan's temptations, rise above natural weakness, and have moral character changed by love for God so they turn from sin. Temptation can be resisted and right actions done, not in personal strength but in strength God is ever ready to give. Trusting His Word ends the excuse I can't, exposing saying I cannot do this or that about things known to be right as unwillingness to resist the enemy. The call is to fight him in divine strength rather than remaining on Satan's side.
Christ gives strength for victory over self and selfishness in ordinary daily interactions, where dying to self and living for the good of others overcomes selfishness. Human effort alone cannot subdue a stubborn will, but by grace and help as wills are surrendered to God, people can overcome and reach God's ideal for them. Complete self-control is possible through strength from Jesus Christ. That strength keeps the higher powers and attributes in rightful control over the lower, enabling appetites and passions to be brought under control.
Growth Into Christlikeness
Through faith in Christ and His merits believers receive divine aid to obey all of God's requirements and keep His law. No one can obey by his own power or pay the debt incurred by transgression, for God demands perfect obedience which man of himself cannot render. Christ came in human nature to know the temptations and trials to which man is subjected and to bring power to obey, so that whoever accepts Him as a personal Saviour becomes an obedient subject of God's kingdom and overcomes every temptation of the enemy in His strength. In that strength it is possible to endure the test Adam failed and to avoid the disobedient knowledge that leads to eternal death.
What God commands comes with the power to obey, and when the human will cooperates with God's will what He asks can be done in His strength. Heavenly intelligences help those who by determined faith seek to develop perfect character, supporting the determined pursuit of a perfected character expressed in perfected action. Divine grace works through human effort to enable what God calls for, with Christ's patience and meekness shaping character as beholding and imitating His life renews in His image to reflect heaven's glory to others. The help needed for this life is found at the throne of grace, and this life of dependence is genuine sanctification, like a branch joined to the vine.
To say the verse is to confess dependence on a supernatural work that man can never work out for himself. After genuine conversion the weak, tempted soul falls on the Rock and is broken, and coming into contact with Christ brings currents of divine power into the soul so that old, cherished, natural tendencies, habits and practices are changed by the Spirit of God. A supernatural element enters weak and wicked human nature and takes possession of the new heart, to appreciate every ray of light from the throne of God, to catch the Spirit and principle of the holy law and conform the life to Christ's character, casting out the evils that possessed the mind and will. That power is received by waiting, being often in prayer and being united in one accord, as shown by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, enabling the overcoming of personal infirmities, the rooting out of selfishness, envy and evil-speaking, the making of a new creature with love shed abroad in the heart, and fitness for saving others. Through Christ thoughts and words can be brought under God's will, emotions governed by reason, the tongue disciplined, and a hasty temper subdued into patience and gentleness, and repeated failures are not a reason to give up but to resolve again while keeping Christ as the example. Looking to Jesus changes the beholder into His likeness and breaks the spell of the enemy, giving strength and trust to overcome despondency, doubt, discouragement, jealousy and imprudent speech, for without Him nothing can be done that is approved or acknowledged by God. No one can achieve holiness or overcome faults by own wisdom and strength, but when help is humbly sought divine grace and Christ's righteousness make obedience complete. By faith relying on God's power and wisdom it is possible to succeed in life, resist Satan's temptations and rise above natural weakness, with love for God changing the moral character to turn from sin.
Christ gives strength to resist evil and unlawful desires and passions, to bring unholy passions under control so that God's high, holy purposes need not be debased, and to develop noble, good character. This strength works together with human effort in conscious power to gain complete victory, cultivating self-control, economy, industry, energy and noble qualities. It overcomes character defects as His lessons are kept before the mind, for He gave His life that people might become members of God's royal family and be true to Him. It produces a life rich in good works and filled with the power of the Spirit. Connected with Christ, people receive strength, ability and efficiency to do the work God calls them to do, becoming a power for good and acting with truthfulness and integrity that give invincible moral power. Through His strength in consecrated obedience they remain steadfast, work together without accusing one another, and live with earnest yet gentle faith and charitable consistency.
Christ cooperates with the believer and gives strength to advance step by step toward the higher, holier life. Those who distrust themselves and shrink from care and responsibility can rely on God and receive strength to act responsibly and accomplish what they could not do on their own. Even a new believer can rely on Him to make steady spiritual progress, using entrusted abilities and pursuing a holier life without becoming self-sufficient. It is the confession of the growing Christian student who does his best with entrusted talents, realizes he is bought and is a laborer together with God, watches how God works, and strives to reach the possibilities held out before him while ever gaining a more complete knowledge of Christ. Through His strength believers advance in spiritual life and reflect His light to the world. A living connection supplies through His presence and Spirit what is lacking and equips for service, so that moral power keeps growing to understand more of God's character through eternity. It is the bold confession of the faith once delivered to the saints that the Lord is helper and giver of strength for all things, calling to arise and go forward, with power that comes when sins are confessed and forsaken and truth is believed and walked in with humble obedience and faith, a power the world cannot withstand that brings God's honor, working continual advancement in perfection of Christian character in the path of holiness from light to still greater light and increasing in knowledge and love of God to the close of probation.
Strength for Assigned Work
Philippians 4:13 means that through Jesus Christ who gives strength, workers can do the work of God and gospel ministry, and it is to be said continually to keep difficulties and impossibilities from staying before the mind. Moral and intellectual ability alone is not enough, for ministers need godliness and the Holy Spirit's power to make their work successful and present people perfect in Christ, and success depends on divine power through Christ as Teacher and Leader. Workers cannot accomplish their work by their own strength, but God provides the help they need, especially in times of trial, so that the risen Lord is the believer's source of strength for standing for God and the truth and laboring for Jesus. Its strength is for pushing the work unitedly in the Spirit of Christ after praying and counseling together and laying plans, with personal views kept subordinate and Christ put foremost in all things, so that the truth as it is in Jesus is presented as a perfect whole by various workmen each acting his part, with the missionary spirit revived.
Believers are not obliged to carry their burdens in their own strength, but with Jesus as helper can do everything required of them, refusing to fret and offering praise to God instead. Christ strengthens believers to bear their own responsibilities and burdens, including difficult work that calls for earnest effort, careful thought and prayer, rather than neglecting it or shifting it onto another person or onto a leader. By abiding in Christ and trusting Him, workers receive strength to meet every burden and difficulty, for Christ can carry what human effort cannot, so reliance on Him replaces worry and enables them to do what He calls them to do. Through Christ, who is close by and supplies complete and efficient aid, a person can do all things needed in the work entrusted to them, and Christ strengthens through His sufficient grace and through the transforming power of the love of God ruling the heart, which brings all powers into obedience to His will and enlists them in willing, active service.
Through constant, earnest prayer, a mother can lay hold of God's strength and receive help for her demanding work, including wisdom, firmness, patience, and self-control. God requires nothing that cannot be performed in His strength, and nothing He requires is outside what is for our own good and the good of our children. A mother standing faithful at her post can train her own children physically, mentally, and morally by that strength, and God never calls a woman to any other work that would lead her to neglect that training, so she may not shift this responsibility to others and leave them to do her work. A mother missing older children yet caring for a little flock needing much patient instruction can do the greatest, grandest work ever committed to mortals, disciplining and bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, not of herself but through Christ's strength as she clings to Jesus, walks in humility before God, watches unto prayer, receives promised grace, and is led by the precious Saviour instead of being left to stumble alone.
Christ gives the consecrated physician strength to meet the demands of his work, including delicate and perilous operations, and to act with precision and skill in efforts to save life, depending on Jesus for counsel and strength rather than relying on himself alone. Such physicians are consecrated to God, led and taught by Him, and bring no reproach on the cause of Christ, for in Christ people are enabled to do all things. They do not exalt self but walk and work with the eye single to the glory of God, remain true to principle and true to duty, and ever look to Jesus for His light, and as God has given such physicians in the past He can give them in this age.
Through His strength, believers can do the spiritual work of teaching others to struggle against and put to death the passions that heaven's light reveals must be overcome, and this same strength enables them first to resist and overcome those passions themselves.
In felt weakness a person can do nothing in and of self and must not depend on self but hang the helpless soul upon Jesus Christ, and Christ giving strength makes every required thing possible, including being raised above sickness and weakness to fulfill appointed work and to speak with strength, ease, clearness and endurance by the Holy Spirit and angelic help. That strength enabled the journey to Auburn, the completion and delivery of the paper, and victory over Satan's hindrances, for they walked by faith, trusting God rather than judging by appearances or outward weakness. Trusting God and keeping faith active, the travelers rode to obtain the paper, the husband gained strength along the way, and through Christ's strengthening they came off victorious and brought papers containing truth for God's people, completing their task despite illness, difficult travel and labor. That strength also sustained demanding daily labor in His service despite poverty and illness, as the worker prayed for help and relied on the Lord rather than his own strength to earn means for spreading the truth.
When people take hold of Christ as their personal Saviour, He enables them to do all things, including the self-denying work of helping those in need and living for the good of others rather than by their own power. Worshipers who surrender themselves to God with all affections and desires are able to do all things through Christ abiding in the heart, for faith and works go together and faith is made perfect by works, even faith that works by love when hearts are aglow with love for Jesus. Through Him believers do the work of God, resist Satan's work to cause dissension and weaken faith, remain one as Christ is one with His Father, put away old passions, and have the soul temple cleansed by the Holy Spirit. Connected with Christ, human nature becomes true and pure, and through His name and strength people can do what they are called to do, for God works for and through those who give themselves to Him without reserve, walk humbly, work in faith, and trust His power to supply their needs, and Christ supplies their efficiency, making them a power for good who act with truthfulness and integrity and invincible moral power, dying to self in ordinary daily interactions.
Endurance Through Trial and Weakness
Through Christ believers can meet every trial both small and great, for His grace sustains through shame, reproach, imprisonment and affliction for His sake and gives strength to remain faithful under pressure. Nothing He requires is beyond the strength and capacity He provides, so those who endure affliction for Him can overcome and face the future with confidence in Him as a present and sufficient help. Smaller trials borne under God's control prepare for greater tests, and this strength is cultivated through daily conversion and restoration of the moral image of God.
Trust in God through Christ's strengthening enables rising above past mistakes and failures and continuing to press forward in the Christian life. Those who fall under temptation can recover and overcome through Jesus, whose grace gives courage to keep striving after righteousness despite discouragement and failure. Even the tempted, erring, discouraged soul in whom there is nothing to recommend him to God can do better and become what God intends, because Christ died that he might be accepted in the Beloved and saved to the uttermost as he comes, takes hold of mercy and trusts forgiving power. In that strength hope inspires determination, opening possibilities, the heights to be attained, and a noble virtuous life, for Jesus waits to clasp the hand and give power.
Christ's power is sufficient in felt weakness where a person can do nothing in and of self, must not depend on self, but hangs the helpless soul upon Jesus. Distrust of self that shrinks from care and responsibility is met by reliance on God, raising above sickness and weakness to fulfill appointed work and to speak with strength, ease, clearness and endurance by the Holy Spirit and angelic help, accomplishing what could not be done alone. Even the weakest and most helpless disciple is not friendless, for Christ is with those who stay with Him to strengthen for labor and gospel ministry and to confirm the word spoken. God's wisdom, grace and strength are present help sufficient for every need, so that as servants rely on Him rather than insist on their own way they can serve faithfully and help others. Looking to Jesus overcomes despondency, doubt, discouragement, jealousy against brethren and imprudent speech to believers and unbelievers, changing the beholder into His likeness and breaking the spell of the enemy, while without Him nothing can be done that is approved or acknowledged by God. Love to Jesus exerts a wondrous power that cannot be hidden, making the timid bold, the slothful diligent, the ignorant wise, the stammering tongue eloquent, the dormant intellect alive with new vigor, the desponding hopeful and the gloomy joyous, leading its possessor to accept responsibilities for Christ's sake and bear them in His strength, not dismayed by tribulation nor turned aside from duty by reproaches.
The same Christ who guided Israel through the wilderness and gave victory over enemies is willing to help His people in their own struggles, enabling them in His power to reach the ideal of character set by His perfect example. Christ resisted temptation in the wilderness and overcame on behalf of the human race, making divine strength available to those who turn to Him to overcome temptation and appetite even when their own efforts are weak.
The verse is a living promise to be claimed near the end of work in this world while waiting and watching and praying and trusting, giving rich feasting on His word. Of ourselves nothing can be done, but in Christ all things can be done, with strength promised to God's workers for the work engaged in, including coming close to hearts in the family circle. The strength is received by keeping the right hold from above and laying hold on Christ by living faith, rightly relating to the laws of health without presumption, cautious about overdoing, taking rest when possible and not becoming nervous, while God does for workers what they cannot do for themselves. Receiving this strength brings peace and rest in Him, with Christ as living guest in the family and the protecting care of angels when going out and coming in, when lying down and rising up, as faith is kept in lively exercise, depressing feelings are not allowed to discourage and weaken faith, but faith is talked and acted to bring returns and blessing to worker and family.