“Not that I [Paul] speak
in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I
know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I
have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer
need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians
4:11-13
Have you ever asked someone how
they are doing and they said, “As well as I might expect under these circumstances.”
The question is for all of us who are joint heirs with Christ – adopted sons
and daughters of the Creator God – “What are you doing ‘under’ your circumstances?”
What Paul was telling the
Philippians and us is that what is happening in the natural – although it may not
be a good thing – should not dictate our contentment – our confidence in the
future. Living our lives with spiritual
understanding – facing what this natural life brings – good and bad – with the
knowing that God is sovereign.
“Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your
requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” –
Philippians 4:6-7
There is not one thing that we
should be anxious about – our future, our finances, the well-being of our
family – whatever might raise its head like a poisonous snake and threaten to
undo us. How we respond to life is a
function of the quality of our relationship with the Father – Our success with
being content in all things – with not being anxious is determined by the
quality of our faith.
In the Army we said that a unit
“Fights the way it trains.” When we are not
in battle, we are preparing for battle. I remember, as a second Lieutenant – a butter
bar – called that because of the gold bar that signified that rank – I was assigned
as a scout platoon leader in an Armor (tank) battalion. The job of the scout is
to find the enemy and report. That means
you are on the “pointy” end of the spear.
I would talk to the platoon about the importance of being proficient in
what they did – so they would not be a casualty because of their incompetence. I would talk to them about the Vietnam war – the
end of still fresh in the minds of many.
My boss talked to me and told me to stop talking so much about war and
death. That our unit was not high on the list for deployment. We were, after all, a FAD (Force activity
designator) 2 unit – meaning we would not be the first to deploy if a war with the
Soviet Union broke out. I told him that the Russians did not have FAD-1 and FAD-2
bullets. Their bullets didn’t care who they killed. And the lesson I wanted to
teach my troops was that people die in wars – that we might well because of the
mission scouts had – which meant that we needed to be really good at what we
did – we needed to train the way we would fight.
So – why did I share that story?
Because in the same way – as Christians – is we neglect our faith – when the
battle comes – whatever form it may take – and we are not ready – we will be in
trouble. We will be just like those who
have no faith. If your focus is on the world – circumstances that seem
overwhelming – threatening like that venomous snake – and not on God – you are
in trouble spiritually. But you don’t
have to be.
If you are home – which most
of us are – what are you doing with your time? Bing watching Netflix? Glued to
news reports about COVID-19? Stressing over your future. I am not suggesting
that you deny reality – COVID-19 is real – Layoffs are real – financial stress
is real – but so is the overcoming faith that Paul wrote about – that Jesus spoke
about. Jesus asked of His disciples – “Why did you doubt?” He said, “Oh you of
little faith.” These were the men that walked beside Him – that personally saw
what He did every day. And still they struggled with trust and faith. Do you
remember the story about Thomas, the Doubter?
“Then He [Jesus] said to
Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand
here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ And
Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas,
because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not
seen and yet have believed.’” – John 20:27-29
That would us – we were saved
by grace through faith – not by sight!
“Some trust in Chariots
and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God!” – Psalm 20:7
Remember that and rejoice in
spite of the circumstances that might rage around you! Look up
He will come and save you! (Click Here)
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For
His Glory Alone
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