Letter #10 - Philippians 4:10-23
by Pastor Vania Marques
Interesting how God prepares things without us even realizing that it’s His desire, His direction. I have been trying to write this devotional for a few days now, but for some reason I didn't have the inspiration to do so, and every time I took my pen and paper to write down the ideas that God put in my heart, it still quite didn’t work, I just couldn't write it.
Today I understand exactly what God wanted to do, the moment He wanted to speak, it’s now.
The world is experiencing a year of uncertainty about tomorrow, many plans have been postponed and the world came to a stop. I have seen many people going through moments of great challenges, sadness, loss, and darkness. But one thing I do know, God is awakening men and women prepared for a new time, challenges and results. Many of our plans are being adapted to the plan and will of God. We are now entirely dependent on the Almighty, the one who really shows the direction that must be taken, the One who has in His hands the provision, the way, the answer, the help.
My husband, Pastor Erivan , recently had a work accident and tore 90% of the ligaments in his elbow. We have had moments of uncertainty about tomorrow, but one thing we are sure of, God is taking care of us, His grace is enough, and He will provide for tomorrow. To know the Lord's provision is to live in the Supernatural and experience living totally dependent on God's care and the way He wants to lead us.
Our friend and inspiration, Paul, makes a tremendous closing when he writes the 4th chapter of Philippians. In the first verses he teaches us to remain firm in the Lord with joy, but I want to focus on verses 10-23. In the very first verses he starts rejoicing greatly in the Lord for having been helped by the Church of Philippi and he goes on to say,
“I am grateful that you care about me, even when you didn’t have a chance to help me, I don’t say for be in need ... ”
Paul was so grateful to the Philippian brothers for their help, that he gave them a word of encouragement. That with that attitude, they were offering to God a sweet-smelling sacrifice, an acceptable and pleasing offering to God. He also encouraged them by saying, "that the same God who cares for me will supply you with all your needs through glorious riches."
Wow, what a tremendous word!
Paul had learned something very special, to live in contentment. Contentment is something that is learned (4:11), and that comes not from the things we have or want in this life, but in having a relationship with God. If we learn to have a relationship with God and Christ as our focus, the difficult circumstances in our lives will lose their importance, why? Because our vision is in Christ, and having this vision in Christ, we are enabled and instructed by Him to persevere in affliction, giving us growth, confidence, faith, reminding us that the Lord gives us the ransom, the deliverance, the way out.
God is speaking to us, let us stop and listen to His call for us to take a step further in His presence. The step of experiencing it without fear, without doubt, simply ready to live something new.
Maybe you even wonder, how? I'm not ready yet. God Himself enabled Paul to be a satisfied person in any and all circumstances, so he says with all firmness and conviction:
“… But one thing I do know: I can do all this through him who strengthens me.”(4:13)
Who has strengthened you?
Have you had the experience of seeing the Lord's provision come to your door?
Can we experience this faith or was it just for Paul?
What needs do you have today that need the Lord's intervention?
If you have not had an experience like this with the Lord in your life, allow Him to introduce Himself to you and to take you to a level that you may not have experienced before. Before seeking help from someone, call unto Him, I am sure the answer will come to you in an inexplicable and surprising way. And as soon as our God does, it surprises us. I don't know how you are today, maybe you don't know how to live at this stage of your life, but I want to encourage you to not give up. God has given you a purpose, believe that God will make a way for you. We can do all things through Him that has strengthened us!
Prayer
Beloved Father, we come humbly before Your presence and present to You our requests knowing that the miracle and the supernatural movement comes from Your hands and that there is no way to experience it if it is not through You.
Show us Your power and Your work in my life and in the life of my brother and sister. Teach us through faith to live a life of total dependence on the Lord.
May we live according to Your will. Manifest Your Glory in us.
To You Lord be all honor and Glory and may the Grace of Christ be upon us. We pray and believe this in the name of Jesus!
