09.18.07
“REJOICE IN CHAINS!”
Philippians 1:12-14
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”
In my mind’s eye I would think that the Lord would make the final days on earth easy for the Apostle Paul. This dear old preacher of the gospel had done so much, I could visualize him spending his final days meditating on the Law and Prophets. But that was not the way it was.
Think about it—here was the most dynamic and powerful preacher in the world shackled to a Roman soldier. This man of God who would shake the entire world with his writing, was subjected to terrible ordeals. In II Corinthians 11:24-25, he enumerates some of his ordeals, “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea.”
Now that, my dear friend, is a “full plate”, so to speak. Not just one excruciating experience, but ordeal after ordeal. The amazing thing is Paul’s response to these trials in his life. He never complained! Not only did he refrain from crying and complaining, he rejoiced that he was counted worthy to suffer!
Perhaps the greatest potential benefit of suffering is to provide a platform to rejoice. Usually we withhold our praise until we experience something pleasant. In doing so we encounter saints of God who whimper and whine about how hard their life is and how Satan is bringing trials into their life.
I can hardly imagine the impact we would have on the unsaved world if we had the same attitude as Paul in his suffering. He was in chains, but that meant that there was a Roman soldier on the other end of the chain. Here was a new soul with whom he could share the good news of the gospel.
Let’s bring the truth of this message into our own lives. What is our response to pain and suffering? Do we name it as an attack of the enemy or as a golden opportunity to rejoice?
“When all the world is bright and grand, it doesn’t take a lot of sand, to shout and laugh to beat the band; But when the going is getting tough, when deep inside we think we’ve had enough. This is the time to take our stand; to remember the scars on His outstretched hand. Consider Him who suffered for us with an undying love; Look to Him dear friend, who has risen above. This is the time to rejoice and praise; He has died for us to take our place.”
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil