SHARING IN GOD’S GRACE
Opening Prayer
God, help me to rest in Your presence.
Read Philippians 1:7–11
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
God has said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).The background to this letter is that both the apostle Paul and the church at Philippi are going through a difficult time. Paul is in prison and his chains may be jangling even as he dictates his letter (7). This is difficult for all the churches founded by Paul: what does it say about the churches if their apostle is in prison? But the church at Philippi has pressures of its own. There are “enemies of the cross of Christ” (3:18) making life and faith difficult.
Though separated, the connection between Paul and his readers is very deep. Paul has them “in his heart” (7); he longs for them with the affection of Christ (8). Our English translations don’t really do justice to the strength of feeling Paul is expressing—it’s a “gut-wrenching” longing he’s experiencing.
But the deepest connection is not just an emotional one. Paul and the Christians at Philippi are connected by grace. They are fellow “grace-partakers.” Paul uses the same word in 4:14: the Philippians partake in his troubles too.
Apply
It is God’s grace that sustains us, like a neverending supply line. Deeply breathe in God’s grace today. It is sufficient for you.
Closing prayer
Thank You, God, for Your grace. Please give to me more of it throughout the day.
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