Pumped!

People get all pumped up emotionally over things in life. Excitement over causes and issues in society energizes actions and voices. There is also physical strength that is associated with being pumped up such as comes from “pumping iron” (weight lifting) to develop stronger muscles. We can put forth great personal effort to build up our physical strength in a way that enables us to accomplish many things. We can also be STRENGTHENED by the encouragement of others to act boldly with regard to things in which we believe. However, as beneficial as all that may be, we as Christians have a source of STRENGTHENING far above all this that can empower us to press on against all odds.

Note a desire Paul had for the saints at Colosse.
“May you be STRENGTHENED WITH ALL POWER, ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS MIGHT, for all endurance and patience with joy,” ( Colossians 1:11 ESV)

The Greek here is strong, using both a noun and verb form of the same word: “dunamei dunamoumenoi”, “power being powered”. The noun “dunamis” is the word Alfred Bernard Nobel (Swedish inventor, manufacture, and philanthropist, 1833-1896) thought of when he came up with the name for “dynamite” (1867), recognizing it’s power. Paul’s desire was for the brethren at Colosse to be STRENGTHENED with all strength or powered with all power. However we must note that Paul linked this STRENGTHENING to the “GLORIOUS MIGHT” of God or Christ. The Greek word translated “might” is “kratos” which refers to force, strength, or might. W. E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states this word “is derived from a root ‘kra’, to perfect, to complete: ‘creator’ is probably connected. It also signifies dominion, and is so rendered frequently in doxologies.” It has been described as power that overcomes resistance and appears to only be used of God in the New Testament.

“Power being powered” by “His glorious might.” We have no less than the power of Almighty God available to STRENGTHEN, sustain and empower us in life. Are we depending on and yielding to that power God desires to work in and through us? Such STRENGTHENING will help us to continue standing strong through the exercising of “endurance” to boldly press on in work to His glory, as well as the exercising of “patience” in waiting upon the Lord to bring fruit and fulfillment according to His timetable.

The history of mankind through the Scriptures reveals that success has never depended merely upon man’s own strength or the strength of his numbers, but rather a reliance on the STRENGTHENING God provides to work out His Will. His “glorious might” is more than sufficient to STRENGTHEN us with all strength for joyful endurance and patience as we are confronted with the varying situations of daily life. May we continue to yield to it as we serve His Divine purposes.

Have a great day EMPOWERED BY THE GLORIOUS MIGHT OF GOD!
Carl

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