Joan Brock
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."
When Paul wrote these words to the Christians in Philippi, he was in chains in a Roman prison - arrested for proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. Awaiting trial, he knew he would either be released or executed. His prayer was that during his trial, he would speak courageously for Christ and not be timid or ashamed. Whether he lived or died, he wanted to exalt Christ. Whatever his circumstances, he learned to be content, finding real joy as he focused all of his attention and energy on knowing Christ and obeying him. Only his faith in Christ could sustain him in such adversity.
Oswald Chambers stated "Paul was determined that nothing would stop him from doing exactly what God wanted. But before we choose to follow God's will, a crisis must develop in our lives. This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God's gentle nudges. He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him and we begin to debate. He then providentially produces a crisis where we have to decide - for or against. That moment becomes a great crossroads in our lives. If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely and irrevocably."
Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, when the odds seem totally against us, may we cling to you because we know that nothing can separate us from your hope, your love and your joy. In our times of crisis, may others see you glorified and exalted in us. Amen.
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