Reading: Philippians 1:18b-20
“There, there - it’s all going to be alright”. How often have we reassured our children with these words? Perhaps you were soothed by the same words when you were a child. It is a comfort to know that everything is going to turn out alright. Indeed it can even be a source of joy.
Paul wrote: “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this (what had happened to Paul) will turn out for my deliverance.” Yet Paul was in prison waiting to hear whether he would be executed or not. Would he live or would he die (v20). And perhaps your current situation holds a large degree of uncertainty too. How will it all turn out?
Paul was convinced that, no matter what the outcome, his situation would turn out for his deliverance. The Greek word translated “deliverance” refers to a state of being safe. How could Paul know that he would end up being safe and even rejoice in the fact when there was a good chance that he might be executed?
The answer has three parts (though this is not as clear in some English translations of the Bible as it is in the Greek). To begin with, Paul’s state of safety would be assured through 1) the prayers of the Philippians, and 2) the help of the Holy Spirit (v19).
God has provided for your safety through the prayers of your church family and the fact that His Spirit is in you. Are you praying for brothers and sisters that are in crisis? Are you firmly plugged into a church family? Have you forgotten that the Holy Spirit is within you? Are you ignoring Him? Do not be like the Galatians who were trying to complete something that the Spirit had started (their salvation) in their own strength (Gal. 3:1-5). God is with you and He is leading you to safety by the Spirit. Further, the Spirit is a guarantee that one day you will make it to heaven, the ultimate place of safety.
Let us turn now to the third aspect of Paul’s safety which is closely linked to Paul’s passion to glorify God. The NASB translates: “I know that this will turn out for my deliverance ... according to my earnest expectation ... that Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or death”. The word translated “exalted” also means to glorify or to highly praise. It was Paul’s hope and earnest expectation that He would make God famous whether imprisoned or free, by living or dying. Paul knew that his desire to live or die in such a way as to show the supreme value of God would keep Him safe.
The safest way for you to live is by seeking to show God as your greatest treasure in life. Then through the provision of the Spirit, whatever has happened and whatever will happen, you will end up being safe. We have an assurance of safety that will prevail in all circumstances, good or bad. Now that is something to rejoice in!
Cheers for now - Ian
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