Strengthened - Colossians 1:1-14

Read Colossians 1:1-14

We continually ask God that you... “be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.” Colossians 1:11

Paul starts his letter to the Colossians by noting how the Gospel has gone viral. It’s going worldwide, and he has heard about it. He also prays for the Colossians that they would grow up. Yet, this growth for which he prays is not so that they can do more but so that they know more, so that their inner-faith-given strength may grow and increase. We all need this kind of growth and strength from God.

Lord God, strengthen me with power from your Holy Spirit so that I may have great endurance and patience as I seek to live a life worthy of the calling you have given me. Amen.

Psalm 139 - Known

You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you percieve my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:1-2

This psalm is all about how well God knows David - and me. He knows his thoughts. He knows his going out and his coming in. He knows his words before he says them. There is nowhere that David can go to escape him. God is always there with him. David was known before his mother’s womb. He knows all of David’s future days. He even knows David’s anxious thoughts. Since I am known this well, I am confident that God will work in my life to lead me into eternity.

Lord God, you know me. You know how deeply broken and anxious I am. You know all of my thoughts even when I cannot discern them all. Yet, you, Lord, forgive it. You help me through it. You love me in spite of it. You lead me in all of my life. The entire way, you are leading me in the way of life everlasting. Help me now to walk with you on this way. Amen.

Psalm 130 - Hopeful Waiting

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his Word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5

There are two ways to wait. I can wait as a guilty defendant who is waiting for the judgment to be handed down. I can wait as an innocent party who is waiting to be exonerated. Even though we are guilty, we wait as an innocent one. We are forgiven and acquitted by Jesus. We wait with hopeful expectation for the sun to rise, not for an enemy marching into our city to destroy us. We wait for salvation. We wait for him because he is our redeemer.

Lord God, I am waiting for you. Work in my life as only you can work. Your words are certain and sure. You promise good and every blessing. Even what seems to be painful is surely good from your hand. Teach me to wait on you hopefully, with certainty and confidence. Amen.

Psalm 103 - A Compassionate Father

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:13-14

As we face this new year, there are many things that we are afraid of, and that overwhelm us. The tasks. The responsibilities. The struggle against sin. As much as there is hope in the new year, this is also angst and trepidation. My God - your God - deals with you accordingly. He helps you in your weakness. He forgives your sins. He deals with you and understands your dusty and ashy nature. He will not break you. He aims to strengthen you and keep you into eternity.

Dear Father,

I am weak.

I am frail.

I am dust.

I struggle with sin.

I feel inadequate for the tasks in front of me.

Help me in my weakness.

Strengthen me. Forgive me.

Save me. I am yours.

Amen.

Psalm 90-91 - Constant Presence

Lord, you have been our dwelling place through all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. Psalm 90:1-2

These two psalms identify characteristics of God that bring great comfort:

• He is everlasting.

• He is MY refuge.

• He is present with ME constantly.

• He attends to my needs and my fears.

• He conquers my enemies.

• He sends angels for me.

Notice that these are not just generic characteristics. These are characteristics that benefit me (and you!).

Lord God, help me to turn to you and lean into you at all times, especially when I am afraid or overwhelmed. In the year to come, there are many things I will face and other things I will tackle. Help me to remember that you are an “ever-present” help to me so that I am not afraid or overwhelmed. Amen.