Colossians 1:11 “We pray that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power, according to the might of His glory, to exercise every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy.” (Amplified Version).
There is nothing more memorable or enjoyable in life than an invigorating experience. It is something you treasure and often talk about.
Well, Paul prayed for the Colossians that their life in Christ would be an invigorating one. Not only that; he said he sought God on their behalf so they would be strengthened with all power. He did not seek God for some power or enough power; but ALL power for their lives in Christ.
Too often we rob ourselves because we do not seek God’s best. We settle for the crumbs that fall from His table rather than the complete meal He sets before us. Paul wasn’t about to settle for the crumbs; he wanted God’s very best for the Colossians and for himself.
We should not settle for crumbs any more. We must hunger and thirst for God’s best. There is no question that we certainly need it at all times!
But, Paul went further and prayed that God provide His best according to His might and His glory. It is one thing to receive God’s best, but it is another thing to know how to live in it. So, Paul asked God to not only provide His best, but to enable the Colossians to live in it, comprehend it, appropriate it and reach new God-empowered heights in it.
When disciples live in God’s best it will always attract the attention of Satan, other believers and the world.
Satan pays attention to believers who become disciples and start to live their lives in the promises and empowerment of God. Such disciples threaten his kingdom and endanger the success of his dark realm.
Church-going believers are also attentive to fellow-believers who suddenly start to break the mere church-going mould and begin praying more, reading more, trusting God’s promises more and seeking to serve in His power and glory regardless of the cost. Such commitment soon brands one as fanatical, fundamental etc.
The world also pays attention because its sinful activities are challenged by disciples who are strengthened with all the power of God (Ephesians 1:15-23). The world only has two options when confronted by the lives of committed disciples: join them or kill them.
So, because such invigorating, powerful lives are a threat and attract persecution, Paul prayed for the Colossians that they would joyfully endure persecution from Satan, their own brethren and the world.
In the light of Paul’s concerns for the Colossians we also need to remember these wonderful words of Jesus if we determine to seek God’s best in our service unto Him: Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
