Scripture:
Philippians 4:10-13 NKJV
[10] But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. [11] Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: [12] I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Observation:
Paul’s letter to the Philippines is only 4 chapters in all, and even someone who struggles to read can get through it in about 15 minutes. However, that doesn’t mean the content inside those 4 chapters is any less valuable. In fact, one of the most commonly quoted verses is right in this short letter. Phileo is the Greek word for brotherly love, and the Philippines were known by Paul to be that kind of church. The kind that just loves their neighbors. Their partnership in his desire to spread the gospel is what comes into our view this morning. Not that Paul had written them to receive money. Because of his missionary journeys, he had been shown how to be OK with whatever he had. I want to take us into Paul’s life just a little bit. I know I probably write about him a lot, but I have kind of a special attachment to him. Here is a man who thought he was on track. He had one of the best Jewish teachers one could sit under. He knew the first 5 books of the bible inside and out by the time he was 13. Yet seething with anger, he got a letter permitting him to drag men and women off to be killed if they believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of GOD. On his way to do so, an encounter took place that would transform him into a man who would end up writing a good portion of what we read as the New Testament. Letters of love and compassion for his fellow man. Letters of encouragement and perseverance, Letters to explain that he had found a way to be content no matter what he faced. Paul’s life after the Damascus Road encounter is an inspiration to me, and I hope it is for all of us. He went from an angry little man to a man content, no matter what. You can honestly see it play out in his letters. As he was sitting in a Roman prison awaiting execution, he was still writing, encouraging young Timothy to lead the church in a manner worthy of the calling that he’d been given him. Truly content with whatever GOD had for him. Second Timothy chapter 4, verses 5 through 8, is a great example of facing death for the transformation that took place in his life, yet still doing everything he can to spread the gospel. You can truly see his trust in GOD. From having all he needed to not knowing what he was going to eat. From being on top of the Jewish community to being hunted like a wild animal. Shipwrecked, beaten, left for dead, snake bitten, from walking free to awaiting execution, Paul had seen and been through it all, and was content with whatever GOD had for him. He knew that as long as he held on to his relationship with Jesus Christ, he would get to the other side of whatever he faced. Even if that other side was standing next to Jesus in eternity. At that point, the race was won.
Application:
I have a question for you… What does GOD’S plan look like for you? I mean, does anyone really know my thought is that it’s spelled out in the bible. But the bible talks about being in a land of plenty and suffering for the cause. It talks about hills and valleys, mountain tops, and low roads. Over the almost 51 years of my life, I have been in a lot of different circumstances. A wide range of lifestyles. Homeless at the age of 18 to the penitentiary to having more than I could ever need. Once I found Jesus, however, I realized that I had all I needed. With HIM, there is nothing I can’t make it through. Whether I have more than enough or I’m not sure when I’m going to eat next. HE told me I’m going to the other side, and I believe HIM. The example HE gave of the scripture that Paul wrote here in the Philippines letter was when HE was in the front of the boat, taking a nap while the storm was raging. HE was content knowing that GOD’S plan would unfold even in the face of the storms of life. My question is, where are you at with all this? Are you facing adversity and complaining about it, or do you have more than enough and are still not satisfied? Wherever GOD has you… you’re there for a reason. Maybe it’s to learn how to trust him, or maybe we need to learn how to be joyful in hard times, knowing that GOD is shaping our character to be more like HIS Son. Either way, once we learn to be content no matter what we face, we will truly have the kind of trust in our heavenly Father that Jesus, Paul, Stephen, and many others who have sense passed have had. Our race is finished when we see HIS face; until then, we have to hold on to our relationship with HIM. That’s what brings us to the other side of wherever we are. GOD has you right where HE wants you. Whether that’s the land of plenty or a place of want. The story of your faith is being written as you read this. Learn to be OK with just being OK.
Prayer:
Father, you know right where we are, and you know the reason we are here. Help us see things from your perspective. We just want to be in your presence no matter what. We want to know you more to be the men and women you have called us out to be. You are our everything. Our shelter in times of need and our hearts desire when we seem to need nothing. We honestly just want to be caught us in your presence. When we have you, we need nothing. You are our provider, our healer, our way maker, everything. Let us look to you in all of our circumstances and rest knowing that your plan is best. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen.