ALL WILL BE WELL

The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, be with you
all. Amen
Philippians 4:23

It's an odd verse to use in closing out this brief look in the book of Philippians. This Friday blog will be the last one I'll do on Fridays. There are churches beginning to come together again which will hopefully begin to get folks back on track. If not, I would encourage you to stay in the Scriptures whether your church begins to meet or not. We will all feel some isolation at times that don't necessarily have anything to do with a pandemic. It is the Word that will feed and heal us. Riding on the spiritual coat tails of others will never suffice.

Through this book, I see Paul giving these people he loves so dearly a sense of hope and a sense of destiny. Some of you have heard from me how I break the word “hope” down.

H-aving O-nly P-ositive E-xpectations.

Paul encouraged HOPE all through this book not only for those then, but also for us today. Keep in mind that hope always looks forward, never backward. So let's be doing just that.

The book of Philippians should be an easy read for us. It contains only four chapters two of which contain 30 verses. All total, there are only 104 verses in the entire book. This book is so full of familiar verses that a one seated reading is not laborious at all. It's not only a book of instruction, but of great encouragement and practical for our every day living. I've been reading this through a few times for my own help and hopefully for you as well.

Paul gives his friends such words of encouragement that are trickling down to you and me in our day. One of my first acquaintances with this book came through a very distant relative who at the time as teens, she and I were only a couple of years apart. Her life verse was 1:21. (Any Scriptures I share in this blog will be from Philippians so I will only use references.) I had never read this book or much of anything in it at the time. As I did though, her verse took on real meaning for me as well.

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

That's a mouthful. You don't know how often I've questioned myself as to how much meaning that verse has for me. It's a verse toward the beginning of this book. Paul felt it was wonderful living and serving Jesus, but to die and be with Jesus would be best of all. We so cling to life on this earth that it would seem nothing could be better despite it's trials. There are many times in my life when I have looked back, but when in Heaven, there will be no looking back. ALL WILL BE WELL.

In this life, we struggle to really know Christ as faithfully and lovingly as is possible. It isn't an easy endeavor however. In 3:10, we see

That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection,
and the fellowship of His sufferings, made conformable unto His death.”

I can't tell you how often I've heard this verse quoted. It sounds so good, but if someone claims that verse as her/his own, it's a lot to come to grips with. Jesus' power looks good but are we willing to go through the sufferings and even die in order to know Him. Death might mean dying to self or in our age, it could mean physical death. So, how badly to I want to know Him? Is any suffering I go through cause for my griping and complaining. When was the last time I died to self or to things that bring pleasure to self that might not be in my best interest. Turning it all over to Jesus and relying on His Spirit will bring us where we should be if we are sincerely seeking Him. ALL WILL BE WELL.

There are other verses that speak for themselves not just to claim, but to incorporate into our very beings.

I can do all things through Christ strengtheneth me.” (3:13)

“Not that I speak in respect of want:
for I have learned, in whatsoever
state I am, therewith to be content”
(4:11)

How I praise Jesus for the strength he instills into my life both spiritually and physically as well. In that strength, I can do more than I think I can do. He equips me in every way to be for Him what He wants. In that same vein, Paul speaks of contentment. I think I am pretty content most of the time, but most of the time just doesn't work. Several years ago, I heard a good definition for contentment. The person said, “Contentment is letting God be God.” I love that because it is so true.

No matter the state or condition of my circumstances, I have to learn to be content in the fact that God is in and ever with me. I can rejoice in the good and rejoice as well through the difficulties. We are strengthened by our Father to do and be anything for Him. In that strength I can be content no matter my circumstances. Remember: ALL WILL BE WELL.

Thank You Father, for this precious book so full of Your encouragement and instruction so that we might really know You better, putting into action our service for You and toward others. Our gratitude too for Your faithfulness and patience with us when You see us struggle unnecessarily, but as You wait for us to come to You with our every need. Thank You for Jesus who paid it all. In His precious name...Amen