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Colossians 1:11
Colossians 1:11 is the continuation of the instruction which began in Colossians 1:9 (NKJV) stating, “For this reason…”. The reasons in Colossians 1:11 are for strength, but not any kind of strength. This strength in might must be from the LORD’s glorious power. Also, Paul prays for patience and longsuffering for the Church at Colosse. I think that “patience and longsuffering” is easy for us to say…”oh yea, that’s good to have”, but patience takes patience to achieve, and longsuffering requires “suffering” and not only suffering but doing it for a long time…no one wants to do that.
I think that it is important to note at this point that Paul is writing to “the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse.” To learn patience and longsuffering are things that I believe requires Christ in us, to learn. After submitting ourselves to patience and longsuffering, we learn from the Apostle Paul that we should do this with “joy” (Colossians 1:11). WOW! This takes great dedication and focus on Christ, and sometimes more than not, it can hurt, but the reward is great. This is how the Lord matures us…but we must trust and follow Him.
This is an example of how we should strive to be—in Christ our Lord and Savior.
Longsuffering while having joy seems to be a contradiction, but then I think of the suffering that Jesus did on the cross to pay for my sins, and then His words from John 15:18 as He declares, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” Jesus also declared in Matthew 10:38, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Many people reject opening their heart to Jesus because they expect salvation in Christ Jesus to remove every aspect of sorrow, pain, or any other form of discomfort they are facing in this life. The truth is, Jesus never said that He would remove the trials and tribulations from our lives; He said that He would be with us always and help us through them Matthew 28:20; John 16:33. Be of good cheer and be joyful, for Jesus has overcome the trials and tribulations of this world, and He will fill you with joy if you will believe in Him through the trials and tribulations that you are facing.
Dear Lord,
I pray that you will grant us all the strength and might, according to Your glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy. This is unnatural for us as humans, but we can accomplish it with your Holy Spirit guiding us. We need to start each day with You Lord, and then we need Your guidance throughout the day. Please be with us as we follow You Lord. In Jesus name I pray, amen.