Discover His heart: He empowers us to do what pleases Him
@ Philippians 1
What a treat it is when we attempt to encourage someone who is going through a difficult time and find ourselves encouraged the most! This is probably how the Philippians felt when they read Paul’s letter to them. The Philippians were his first congregation on the European continent, and his affection for them is obvious. “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.” (3) I feel this same way about so many people in my life.
The Philippians had supported him throughout his ministry, including his time in prison where he sat writing his letter to them. I’m sure their hearts were breaking for this father of their faith who had nurtured them and was now in prison for sharing that very faith. Their gifts and messages sent through Epaphroditus – never will I complain about my name again – were no doubt intended to lift his spirits and encourage him. His response was the joyful letter of Philippians.
Just like a father would do, Paul encouraged them to continue to mature and grow in the Lord regardless of their concern about his prison confinement. “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives…” (9-10) Don’t worry about my state of affairs and what I am going through, but press on and you will understand what really matters in life.
“I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” (20-21) We can tell if we have discovered what really matters in life by how tightly we hold on to this world and what it has to offer. Paul had let go.
Oh, that I would always view the trials I face with the heart and attitude of Paul, “And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here…knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.” (12-14)
What if Paul had responded to his chains with depression and fear, disillusioned by his situation? The local Christians in Rome, who would soon face great persecution themselves, would have no role model of tenacious faith to follow. There would be no encouraging letter to the Philippians that we so often quote and receive a blessing from today. Thank you, Paul, for showing us what really matters.
@ Philippians 2
“Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” (12) When we reverence God and obey Him, the same power that raised Christ from the dead (Rom 8:11) and the power that changed Saul to Paul will empower us to do what pleases Him, to do what really matters. Just as Paul was not alone sitting in that prison cell, we are not alone in our trial. We can respond to our testing with the same heart and attitude as Paul because of what God is accomplishing within us.
Moving Forward: With God working in me today, I am empowered to face this day with tenacious faith, living His example of one who knows what really matters in life – the eternal side of living.
Tomorrow @ Leviticus 7-9
Phyllis Benigas 