Philippians 1:12
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel
The circumstances of our lives are important to God. We all have our dreams and goals. We put them before God and ask His blessing. If we don’t feel a “no” then we proceed. Sometimes they are realized, sometimes not. If we are walking with Christ, we should assume the results are God determined.
All our actions should be in line with the bible, never against. That’s a great, obvious line for us. There are only ten commandments and all in the negative. That leaves the rest open. As long as our pursuits aren’t against scripture, then enjoy.
Most would have thought Paul being in prison, was a major victory for the evil one. However, we now know all the prison epistles were a huge result. He penned a portion of God’s Word while imprisoned. God’s Word is very important to our faith.
Paul made clear justification by faith. This is such a significant doctrine. There is nothing like it in the religions of the world. This is a major part of the good news. It was done for us and it is free to the takers.
We learn much about God through Paul. So generous and loving. Paul had special revelation from God. His writings are so revolutionary that it would require that. We get so much detail and insight as to how we are to relate to and walk with God.
Romans 8:15,16 shares how God is in us and connects with us, ‘For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.’ This has been a blessing to me these past few years. I feel and sense God. All believers are to. How amazing is that.
More on that verse. My father passed away when I was two. I got a stepfather when I was 8. The latter gave me poor experiences and marks of a father. The positive father concept has always been elusive. It still is. But verse 15 says how my spirit cries out, “Abba, Father!” Walking with Christ has put pieces back about fatherhood that were missing.
When I pray the Lord’s Prayer, it begins with “Our Father, Who art in heaven”. I spend a good amount of time reflecting on that. I had a leader in ministry six or so years ago. He was an amazing man. He had a great father way about him. He helped frame the father concept.
Paul’s prison experience continues to bless many daily. We will have experiences that God uses. We may think them bad at the time, but He has other aims. That’s an amazing aspect about God. We don’t have to let experiences get us down. We are to praise Him in all circumstances.
He is the object of our faith. He is always good and constant. Come what may, we are to praise Him. This is quite a contrast to the world. They would see a sour situation as bad luck or something to remove ones self from. Anxiety rises. Now, we can also seek to remove ourselves, but we also know that this may be engineered by God, so we pray, “Thy will be done”.
Peace reigns in all circumstances. At least it’s supposed to. That’s primary above the circumstance. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body. And be thankful”, (Colossians 3:15). By being anxious, we aren’t letting peace reign.
We aren’t to worry about time. This trial my last a day, days, weeks or longer. I can recall a problem with my boss lasting months. In fact it never got to its original place. It was very stressful. I had to learn to trust regardless of time. I was used to day long or week long problems. This one lasted months. This was a very big lesson. God was with me. Even though my relationship with my boss was wrecked, God was there. At the time, my boss seemed all powerful. But I had a friend who was his boss and a time came when he learned that and backed off. I still smile to this day about God’s hand. We needn’t worry.
I do need to differential between problems that happen to us and those we create. I Peter 3:15,16 says, “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” Some of our trials are do to our sin. We are to grin and bear it. Humbly take the consequence and repent.
Lord, thank You that You are the king of our circumstances. Regardless of what type they are, beautiful or base, You are in charge and to be trusted and praised. There was not a hint of complaint in Paul and his imprisonment. So we can praise You in all of ours. Thank You.