LifeLink Devotions for Monday, August 26, 2024

Just yesterday I saw it again. Someone posted a Bible verse and used it to justify an outcome they wanted. It was totally out of context. Many times we are guilty of taking Bible verses out of context just so we can feel better about ourselves. Sometimes we use verses to motivate ourselves within the context of possibilities, but we limit those possibilities only to those things that will benefit us. In today’s Scripture from Philippians chapter four we have such a verse that has been misused and misapplied. You will recognize it as I read this passage.

Philippians 4:10-13 “I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

How many times have you seen “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” printed on a t-shirt, uniform, or Facebook page?And how many times has it been there because the person was declaring that they have the strength to endure adversity and failure? Most of the time the verse is used to claim some guarantee of success. But that is not the context of the verse.

Paul taught the people of Philippi to rejoice in the Lord even during imprisonment. They responded to the joy of the Lord by reaching out with compassion to help Paul in his need. But Paul says this – “I do not consider myself to be in need.”  Wow! He is in prison. He is being persecuted for what he believes. He owns nothing of his own. Yet he says he is content. How is that possible. Because of the strength of the Lord. You see, the promise of doing everything through Christ who gives us strength is not a promise of success, but it is a promise of contentment even when everything is wrong.

Here’s the secret. When we rejoice in the Lord and know that He is in control of all things, working them out for His glory, then even our failures become a part of a bigger purpose than just our need for immediate gratification. And when we rejoice in God’s bigger purpose, we are given the strength to endure anything until He works it all out. We learn the secret of contentment.

Most people today are far from content. Every day they strive for more and better, thinking that life can only be enjoyed if it is free from trouble and suffering. We have become our own God, declaring the right to determine what is best for us. We rejoice in ourselves and then try to claim a Bible verse that validates our right to get it done. Then if it doesn’t, we blame God for failing us. What a frightful life.

Paul rejoiced that he was receiving help, but he wanted us to know that he wasn’t depending on the help to make his life better. He was content with any circumstance because he fully trusted God to provide him with peace while he endured the suffering. My friends, we must learn this. We must become people who truly trust God with all outcomes. The result will be peace and freedom from worry, because when we rejoice in the Lord, Christ will give us the strength to be content.

Pastor John