GOD GIVES THE DESIRE AND POWER TO OBEY

Philippians 2:12-13

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Think back to your college days. Perhaps they weren’t so long ago. Your parents sent you off, trusting that you would remember all that they had taught you over the years. They hoped you would be a credit to them while you were absent from them.

Paul had similar advice for the believers in Philippi—his “spiritual children.” Now that he was a prisoner, he reminded them of his teachings and how they were to continue in obedience in his absence. He greatly desired that they would pass the true test of lessons received—living out those truths on a daily basis without being nagged to do so.

Today, we can pray, with Paul, that we will be careful to remember and follow all that we’ve been taught. We can obey God with “fear and trembling.” And what does God promise? That he is working in us. That he will give us the desire to obey and the power to do what pleases him. 

GOD’S PROMISE TO ME:

• I can give you the desire to obey me and the power to do what pleases me.

• I will help you put your faith into action and obey me with reverence and fear.

MY PRAYER TO GOD:

Lord, help me remember all that I have learned and to put my faith into action in every part of my life. Help me to obey you with reverence. You promise that you will work in me, helping me to obey. Help me to hold on to that promise. Amen.