Paul wanted the Philippians to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they could depend on God in all circumstances. This daily devotional looks at how God strengthens us so that we can do His work.
Nuggets
- We can be certain that God will be with us when we are in Christ and strengthen our relationship with Him.
- We need to acknowledge the generosity of others.
- We need to allow them to receive their blessing.
Devotions in the Joy in the Gospel series
Paul knew firsthand that he could depend on God for everything. He wanted to make sure that the Philippians — and we — know it, too.
Let's Put It into Context
Here is a running list of what we’ve discussed previously.
Certain of His Control
“I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4: 13 CSB)
We can be certain that God will be with us when we are in Christ and strengthen our relationship with Him.
Cadman told us what we can do when we are in Christ.
1. “He can suffer the will of God.
2. “He can vanquish his spiritual foes.
3. “He can fulfil (sic) all his duties to God and man.”
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Sometimes, we think that, if we are the Will of God, we shouldn’t have to suffer. But that is when we are going by feelings.
What happens when we don’t feel like everything is unicorns and rainbows? We think God doesn’t want us to be at that place.
That really isn’t the way it works. God never promised us smooth sailing. Jesus kept telling us that His disciples would be persecuted.
But that is when we are focusing on circumstances. We need to focus on God.
God is never going to change, even while everything is in chaos in our lives. He has promised that He will never leave us.
Watkinson expanded that. He wrote, “We think our discontents are circumstantial, but really their origin is to be sought in the anarchy of the soul.”
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Well, isn’t that like us? We think that everything has to be about us and this life. Really, God’s priority is the condition of our souls.
We know that Satan is a spiritual foe. He wants us to completely ignore God.
If we have read Revelation, we know how this story is going to end. Satan will be defeated by God.
Sometimes, we are our worst enemy. We think there is no way that God is going to fix us.
We sell God short. We forget “…With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Mt. 19: 26 CSB).
God is in the business of making us pure again. No, while we are in these physical bodies, we aren’t going to have 100% success on that.
While that doesn’t give us license to sin, that gives us the certainty of God’s love for us.
In order to fulfill our duty to God and man, we need to find peace within our hearts. God is the God of Peace (I Cor. 14: 33) and Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9: 6).
Watkinson noted that we humans can be so contradictory. However, “… it is the work of Christ to attune the subtle chords of our reasonable and immortal nature, and bring forth in our heart the music of heaven.”
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This peace brings us contentment in all aspects of our lives. Jesus doesn’t do this by narrowing our horizon. He refocuses and expands it.
I see this as Jesus working on two levels. He is refocusing our attention on eternity. By doing that, He is expanding our human nature by working on our character.
I have to process what Watkinson said. Jesus doesn’t come in and just lay waste to everything we are and have been — even though that has been sinful and it probably would be easier if He did.
Did Paul forget everything he had learned at Gamaliel’s feet? No, he contrasted that with what he learned at Jesus’ feet. Then, he used it to draw his countrymen to Christ.
But it wouldn’t be easier because we would feel incapacitated and miserable. We wouldn’t be able to move forward because we would be mourning the past.
Instead, Jesus leaves us to be us. Our personality is intact. We still possess all the knowledge we had. We still have our goals and aspirations.
What Jesus does is start us on the Sanctification Road. He shows us how we can depend on Him and find our satisfaction in Him.
Well, it is important, you know. What happens in this life is going to impact our life throughout eternity.
If we don’t praise and worship God now, are we going to want to in the next life?
Eternity is not going to be an extension of this life — even the good parts. it’s is going to be all spiritual.
Let’s look at the “… strengthens me” (Phil. 4: 13 CSB) part for a second. We don’t like to think we are weak, do we?
We are programmed by the worldview that we need to be strong and depend only on ourselves. We see weakness as a fault.
God doesn’t.
- “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me’” (II Cor. 12: 9 ESV).
- Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8: 26 ESV).
God made us to be dependent on Him. “For in him we live and move and have our being …” (Ac. 17: 28 NIV). Have our being means we exist. We were born for this.
Forsyth reminded us Paul was in prison. His Joy definitely did not depend on the situation in which he found himself.
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Acknowledgment of Partnership
“Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship. And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times” (Phil. 4: 14-16 CSB)
We need to acknowledge the generosity of others.
There was only one sermon for these verses. It was entitled Liberality to the Minister by Lyth.
We’ve talked about liberality before. Liberality means generosity
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To read a related devotion, click the button below.
We honor God by using what He has given us to expand His kingdom. It is about generously giving God our best to serve others.
We have to purposefully use what has been given to us to show others how God provides. God will reward those who are generous, including a good conscience and the gratitude of those served.
Again, Paul acknowledged the partnership he has with the Philippians. He made sure they knew how much their contributions meant to him.
God wants us to support those He has called to preach. It may mean money. At times, it will mean keeping the unity. It definitely means praying for them.
Full Up
“Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account. But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided — a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Phil. 4: 17-18 CSB)
We need to allow others to receive their blessing.
Paul wanted the Philippians to understand that he was not a money-grabbing televangelist. He didn’t ask for money.
Not only was Paul thankful the Philippians has shared with him, but God was also pleased. God would reward them for their generosity.
Paul wanted to assure the Philippians that he was good for now. He had everything he needed.
We do have a duty to give back to God. He has provided us with sufficient amount to meet our needs. He expects us to acknowledge that and give some back.
I know. There are times we feel that God isn’t providing enough. It is those times that we have to look and see how we are using the money He has given us.
Are we buying into the worldview and looking to our own needs and wants? Are we looking to expand His kingdom with what He has made is stewards over?
Evans reminds us that we are called to support other disciples first. This is polar opposite of the worldview thinking we are to support everyone.
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Making the Connections
I basically always have two series of devotions going at the same time. These are the Sunday Morning Bible Study lessons my Ladies and I look at each week.
(Don’t worry. I go more in-depth here. We only have an hour to talk.)
The other series I have going right now is the Redo for Godliness series that we have been looking at all year.
It always amazes me when they intersect. God is truly in control when one series informs the other.
Vaughan has a great sermon about fruit. Since we are doing the Fruit of the Spirit from the Inside Out series right now, it is perfect timeline.
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- “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham” (Lk. 3: 8 NIV).
- Thus you will recognize them by their fruits” (Mt. 7: 20 ESV)
- “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit” (Mt. 21: 43 NIV).
- “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (Jn. 15: 2 NIV).
Vaughan reiterates that we aren’t supposed to only hear God’s Word. We aren’t supposed to only make a profession of faith and keep it to ourselves.
We have to produce fruit. We have to lead others to Christ.
This was what Paul wanted for the Philippians.
How Do We Apply This?
- Be certain that God is working in our lives.
- Be certain that He will never leave us.
- Be certain to bear fruit.
Bottom line is we have to do God’s work.
Father God. We praise You for allowing us to do Your work. Help us to support others and allow them to support us. Amen.
What do you think?
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