Philippians 1:19

New International Version (NIV)

I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

For Meditation

Aku’s husband has been living in the United States of America (USA) for the past eight years. She, however, has been living in her native Ghana since their marriage, nine years ago. They were friends in school and grew to know each other very well. When Joe proposed to Aku after an evening at the movies, it shocked her. However, she didn’t need another time to respond to Joe’s proposal. She had grown to love him in the course of their friendship, but she didn’t think Joe saw her in the same way. Not wanting to ruin their friendship, Aku had suppressed her feelings and done well with it. As they stood before the minister and a small gathering of family and friends that evening, Aku and Joe knew they were made for each other. Barely a year after their marriage, Joe won a scholarship at an Ivy League institution and traveled to the USA for graduate school. They expected to be reunited after two years. However, Joe received an employment offer upon graduation that he couldn’t turn down.Since then, it has been one promise after another, three denied visa applications for Aku, and only a certificate to show for their marriage. But Aku hasn’t given up. Her strong faith in Christ has carried her through all those years of hopeful expectation. Her friends have been supportive in prayers and encouragement, and that keeps her hope alive in Christ.

The Apostle Paul might have felt the same way when he wrote to the Philippian church from prison. He felt separated from the church he loved (Phil. 1:3), and he wanted them to know how much he missed their fellowship and partnership in ministry (4-6). Thankful for the outpouring of love from the church, Paul wanted them to know that he was hopefully expectant of his release because of their fellowship in prayers,“and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (1:19).

1. How about you? Are you going through troubled times?
2. Can you recall the testimonies of others and their faith that carried them through their storms?
3. Can I remind you of the prayers that are rising from your friends and church family like sweet smelling fragrance before the Lord?
4. Can you lift your face to Jesus and remember His suffering and the joy that propelled Him to the cross (Heb. 12:2)?
5. Now,can you trust that like Paul, “the Spirit of Christ” will help you through your storm for the Father’s glory?

I pray you remember these two powerful supports we have when we come into distress – our faith in Christ and the prayers of the brethren.

So: May you keep hope alive in Christ; and may you joyfully expect His grace to carry you through your storm and birth a testimony in your mouth for the sake of others and His glory.

We cannot give up when the saints are firing fervent prayers, propelled by the Holy Spirit, to the Father in the matchless name of Jesus.

Shalom