Giving Thanks

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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.

Devotion:

            Today’s scripture captures Paul in a mood of thanksgiving. He has just received a gift from the church at Philippi. Paul rejoices because it has been so long since he has received a gift from them. Not that he is complaining, Paul knows the hardship and affliction that the church of Philippi has been enduring for the gospel’s sake.

            Paul, himself, has undergone tremendous persecutions in his own journey. He has been beaten, imprisoned unjustly, and generally maltreated at the hands of both Jews and Gentiles. He states that he has learned to be abased in utter poverty, lacking even the comfort of friends, on the other hand he has learned to abound in physical environments with his friends by his side.

            In today’s scripture we meet Paul on one of his good days. The Philippian’s gift has been delivered and he has been saved from any kind of want or privation. For that he truly rejoices with the delegation from Philippi that has brought relief for his present need.

            We, Christians, in the West do not know the kind of suffering Paul underwent. Surly the tide is beginning to turn against those who name the name of Christ as savior. In the Roman prison system those incarcerated were not even provided meals. Their friends had to come and bring food to those who were behind bars. Even if we would be thrown into prison we would be guaranteed “three hots and a cot.” Even in our most desperate circumstances we still have it better than Paul did.

            How then did Paul manage to survive such mistreatment? Verse13 gives us the only answer that Paul can give. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” In the end that is all any of us can hope to rely on. Following Jesus even through terrible want and deprivation is enough to keep us hopeful for a blessed future with him. Let us, therefore, give thanks to God regardless of our circumstances because God will give us strength,

            Prayer:

            Lord, no matter how grim and desolate our future may look to us to day. We know that with you we can be assured of salvation and eternal bliss with you. You loved us enough to save us even though we had done nothing to deserve it. Grace it is all grace, we cannot claim one good deed that would qualify us for heaven. Help us to praise you for your salvation and let us spread the good news of the gospel to our decaying and dying world. Amen.

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