GetWisdom PaperturnSampler FINAL SinglePages - Flipbook - Page 74
you’re in. But remember—when Paul writes this letter to Philippi, he’s in prison in Rome . He’s
awaiting trial, and he knows he may lose his life because of his love for Jesus. And even so—Paul
praises God, joyfully thanking Him for his friends.
Consider a hard season you have walked through or are currently in. How have you fought for joy?
Where has God met you with unexpected joy?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Paul’s joy isn’t just obligatory. In fact, these verses resound with exultation:
Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each
exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so
pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s
Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the
slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it
and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (Philippians 1:3-6,
MSG)
Wouldn’t you love someone to give you a compliment like that? I break out in exclamations of
thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. Paul rejoices in the good work God has
done in the lives of these people, and he quickly tells them that “there has never been the slightest
doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to
a flourishing finish.”
Arriving at this flourishing finish isn’t a passive thing. God is doing this great work in us, and
He has promised to keep at it. But will we keep at it, too? Will we learn to appreciate the work-inprogress, to listen to how He is calling us to grow, to pursue Him in the midst of the in-between?
We are all becoming more like Him, and we have the privilege of joining Him in that work.
Flip over to Psalm 37:4 and write it down:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What do you think this verse means?
72