Philippians 1:12-21
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Devotion
No doubt 2020 was a difficult year. Unfortunately, 2021 has also gotten off to a rough start. Despite the pandemic and civil unrest, it is important to see how God uses our circumstances to shape our perspective on life. You see it would have been natural for Paul to use his imprisonment as an obstacle or hindrance to his work. Through all his difficulties, Paul had a clear perspective on the sovereign hand of God at work in his life. He did not rely on his own expectations or assumptions. He saw the bigness of God despite his struggles. In everything he experienced, Paul maintained an attitude of gratitude. Paul rejoiced in all his struggles because he knew the gospel was being advanced in the Roman Empire.
In many ways, Paul’s life reminds me of Joseph’s life found in Genesis chapters 45-50. For most of his life, Joseph did not understand how God was using his struggles to preserve and protect his family. It wasn’t until being reunited with his brothers that Joseph could see and understand God’s perspective on his struggles. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” In all his struggles, Joseph never wavered in his faith. He continued to trust God and rely on His character. This enabled him to persevere through some difficult circumstances.
Likewise, in all of Paul’s writings, we see Paul maintain an attitude of gratitude. He is a great example of what it means to have a positive attitude or perspective on life even when things are not going so well. We learn from Paul’s example that a positive attitude begins with gratitude. Giving thanks to God sets us free to do exactly what Paul urges in Philippians 1: 18, “Yes, I will continue to rejoice…” In chapter four, he writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always.” In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
When we are going through difficult times, it is often hard to see God’s hand at work in our circumstances. It is also hard to give thanks to God when things are not going well. Like Paul, we must seek to see the bigness of our God and not magnify our circumstances so that we have a distorted perspective on life. As we give thanks to God and rejoice in all that He is doing around us, we can develop and maintain an attitude of gratitude.
Questions to Ponder
What is God doing in and through you as a result of circumstances you are facing? What should you do when facing closed doors? Can you recall at time of difficulty in your life which turned out to be for yours and other’s good? Are you able to “give thanks” in all circumstances? What is Paul’s prayer for the Philippians and us?
Prayer Points
- Abba, I draw near to You, I know You will draw near to me. Thank You Lord for hearing me and seeing me. Thank You for Your heart and arms that are wide open to me and You love to hear my voice, You love when I come to You, even in my weakness and frailty.
- Even now Father, I bring to You that which concerns me. I ask for help, I need Your intervention, I need Your peace that surpasses all understanding. I once again take your light yolk and give You my heavy yolk which burdens me so. Thank you for never shrinking back from my disbelief, my wandering heart and my pain and sorrow. You tell me to come to You always. Oh thank You for being such a wonderful Counselor, thank You for loving me right where I am.
- Thank you for being my Rock, Sure Defense and Strong Tower. Thank you for being incorruptible! Thank you for being The Truth and 100% committed to me and Your Church. Help me Lord to trust You more, to trust You wholeheartedly.
- Grow me while on this journey. Enable me to walk in love, teach me what that looks like Abba, especially with so much bitterness, anger, deception and hatred.
- My Comforter, Helper, Healer and Defender, reveal Yourself to Your Church individually and corporately as One. We need Your encouragement today. Say Your own “breath prayers” back to Him. He is listening, He remembers, He is close to the broken hearted. Pray for those who come to Your mind.
Suggested Prayer
I thank You that You are my Helper, Defender, Strength, Hope and Sure Defense. Flood my heart right now with a remembrance of Your faithfulness in Your Word as well as in my own life or the lives of those around me. Come and encourage my heart Papa, here I am, minister to me, love on me, strengthen me by Your Spirit. I want to thank You for being my Constant Companion, Standing alongside me and residing in me by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You Lord that You are writing my story and You have a purpose and plan for my life and it is good regardless of what is happening now. So I rejoice in knowing that You are bigger than the unrest around our nation and world. You are over every spirit and principality so I can settle myself in You. I lift up Oak Pointe Church and the Greater One Church across the earth and ask that You would reveal Your heart to us. Rend our hearts Lord, cause our hearts to be wide open to You and each other. Let Your affections overflow from the well of our hearts and lives. Proclaim Your great Name in and through Your people. My Living Hope, let Your light shine in and through us I ask, in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen and amen. Pray Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:9-11 for yourself, our church and nation.