Scripture:
Philippians 4:10-13 ESV
[10] I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. [11] Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. [12] I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance, and need. [13] I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Observation:
Paul’s letter to the Philippines is not very long 4 chapters in all and only takes about 20 minutes to read. In chapter 4, there is a commonly misused verse that gets taken out of context, and the meaning of it is distorted. It’s verse 13, so this morning, I’m hoping to put it back into context so that we can better understand what the bible says. Paul starts in verse 10 by building the church of Philippie up for their concerns about him and his missionary journeys and desires to help support that. He assures them that he is not asking for their financial assistance and has found the key to truly serving with his whole heart. Paul makes it clear to the Philippines that he is good with wherever GOD has him. Whether he has enough or whether he doesn’t. Explaining that it’s not about what you have or don’t have. It’s about where your heart is in the matter. Paul’s life is much like the life of Jesus in the aspect of giving us a model or an example. After the shipwreck, the snake bite the stoning, being left for dead…and that’s not to mention being thrown in prison. Paul knew that no matter what, GOD was going to bring him through it. Good, bad, or indifferent, nothing was going to stop the plans GOD had for him, and he was content. Being assured be the Father that Paul was right where HE needed to be right when HE needed him to be there. Paul knew that GOD would not bring you to it if HE was not going to bring you through it. He had a trust for GOD, the father that brought peace without understanding. He knew that in every hard situation, GOD would not leave him or forget about him. Therefore, he knew he could do all things through Jesus Christ, who gave him strength.
Application:
In my life, I have seen a lot and been through a lot. Some of it was comfortable and honestly didn’t do much for the spiritual growth in my life. But some of it has been very hard and brought me to a reliance on GOD I might not otherwise have. I could go over the hard times, and I could reminisce about the good times, but honestly, what my life has taught me is that no matter what I going to be OK. My heavenly Father is in control, and nothing is going to happen to me or for me that is outside HIS reach. HE did not bring me to it to not bring me through it. I know things get hard, and life doesn’t always seem to be what you might have thought it would be. The question really comes down to whether you are ok with where GOD has you. The bottom line is… you are there for a reason… maybe it’s to strengthen you for the task ahead. What I do know is that GOD wastes nothing. HE sent HIS own people into Babylon for 70 years of captivity so that they would learn to seek HIS face. So let me tell you, I think it’s good that Philippines 4:13 is an encouraging verse… I can be content in every situation I am brought to because Jesus Christ will strengthen me in the circumstances. HE has got me. HE has got you. So, no matter what, you are in the middle of, look for what GOD is trying to teach you through it… and be content with learning the hard stuff. Life is not always going to be good, and life is not always going to be bad, but Jesus Christ is always going to be with you. HE loves you and is never going to leave you or forget about you. Are you ok with just being ok?
Prayer:
Father, help us to always be able to stand, help us seek your face, and not your hand. We always want to be in the middle of your plan. Because no matter what we think about you, we can… help us to be good with where you have us. We never want to grumble and fuss. You are always shaping us to be more like your son. HE was content walking everywhere. HE went spreading the love that you put inside HIS heart. Thank you for showing us it’s not about what we have or don’t have. It’s about knowing you have us exactly where you want us to be, and you are building us in every moment. We love you and ask that you forever us where we fail you it’s in the mighty name of Jesus. I pray, amen.