WVLUV Devotional

"Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel," (Philippians 1:12 NAS)

Have you ever been in a circumstance in which you were up against a wall and felt like there was absolutely no where to turn? I think we have all been there. This seems to be the position that Paul was in at this point in his life. He sat in a prison, probably in Rome, chained to a prison guard. (Now I call that up against a wall with no where to turn!) Instead of becoming discouraged, Paul found a way to patiently wait it out. If you read on, verse 13 tells us Paul’s imprisonment had become well known throughout the whole prison guard system. Look at what this means. Paul was probably chained to a different guard two or three times a day and each time he was sharing the gospel. Paul took a difficult circumstance and found a way to use it to glorify God.

Do you think if Paul had been anxious and worried he would have been able to share the gospel with his jailers and write an encouraging, joyful letter to the people of Philippi? He had already written these words in verse six, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6) Paul knew God had already begun a work of grace in his life and whatever continued to happen would also be a work of grace. He was confident and patient that God’s plan was good.

Ask yourself, Is there some part of my life that has not come together as I had planned? If there seems to be a wall in the way, look around where you are and make sure you are giving your best to God in your present situation. Maybe God has someone around you, right now, that needs to hear the gospel and be shown the love of Jesus Christ through your life. Patiently wait where you are and use the time God has you "on hold" to allow Him to do His "good work" in you. We all have a message to preach and it can be done thru our circumstances, if we allow God to preach it thru us. That's the only way the gospel will advance.

"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." (2 Timothy 4:2 NAS)