Philippians 4:12-13 (NKJV): I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
BLESSED is when we’re broken and GOD rebuilds us, when we’re lost and GOD finds us, when we’re weak and GOD strengthens us; when we’re hungry and GOD feeds us; when we’re homeless and GOD shelters us; when we’re sick and GOD heals us; when we’re troubled and GOD gives us peace; and when we fall under the weight of the world and sink in the sands of life, but GOD lifts us up and keeps pursuing us—chasing us—calling us, carrying us, and drawing us closer to Himself through JESUS, back into the love, comfort, protection, provision, and heart of home.
When we’re alone, GOD IS WITH US, and He never leaves us or forsakes us; when we feel worthless or insignificant, GOD EXALTS US, because we’re fearfully and wonderfully made, in His image, according to His likeness; when we’re alone, feeling unlovable, GOD BEFRIENDS US and GOD LOVES US, enough that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life; and when we’re broken in spirit, heart, body, and mind, GOD mends us, covers us, fills us and renews us, supplying all our need according to His riches in glory by CHRIST JESUS, planting in us the FRUIT of HIS HOLY SPIRIT: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, kindness, and self-control; and He works all things together for good because we love Him and are the called according to His purpose, because He knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.
And whether we’re celebrating triumphs and victories or suffering through trials, weathering storms of defeat, whether we’re climbing rough mountains high or crawling in the desolate valleys low, GOD IS WITH US, wherever we go, ordering our steps and directing our paths; and GOD PROTECTS US, EMPOWERS US, COVERS US, and REBUILDS US, so we’re hard-pressed on every side yet not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed. And this is the truth of GOD’sWORD from Genesis through Revelation: In good times and bad, in joy and sorrow, in comfort and conflict, we can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens us.
