Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
March 27, 2023
Read Philippians 4:10-13
10 I was very glad in the Lord because now at last you have shown concern for me again. (Of course you were always concerned but had no way to show it.) 11 I’m not saying this because I need anything, for I have learned how to be content in any circumstance. 12 I know the experience of being in need and of having more than enough; I have learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. 13 I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.
Good Morning, We can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives us strength!
Whenever I see that my passage of the day comes from Philippians, a sense of calm fills me, and I smile. This morning I feel led to focus my thoughts on the second part of verse 12: I have learned the secret to being content in any and every circumstance, whether full or hungry or whether having plenty or being poor. Can I, or can we really say this? I feel that the secret to being content no matter what is a real challenge for mere mortals to find.
Let’s talk about the weather for a moment. It seems that when it’s cold, we want warmth, and when it’s rainy, we want sunshine. We’re a bit like Goldilocks when we assess the situations in our lives: this bed is too hard, this bed is too soft, but this bed is just right. How can we say that we are content when we are always looking for that which is just right?
We must remember that Paul is in prison when he is writing this letter to the people of Phillipi. When I think of those ancient prisons, I see and smell these dark, dank spaces with rats running amok. For me, that is anything but just right. Yet, here is Paul telling us that he has learned the secret to being content. He might as well set up shop on some street corner selling some magic elixir. How can you be content? What is your secret?
Paul reveals the secret in the next verse: I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength. Paul, as he has shared in his many letters, has learned to focus not on the flesh but on the divine. We can sit and nitpick at every little thing that annoys us, or we can focus on what is holy. Have you ever felt the need to complain for the sake of complaining? God must look at us and shake his head. We, his creation, are a mess.
I can’t read and examine Chapter 4 without backing up and reading some of my favorite words of Paul in verses 4-9.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Cast off your worries and complaints. Shed that Goldilocks predisposition. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. We are blessed children of God. When we focus on the divine, everything will be just right.
Blessed God, We thank you for Your blessings. We want to know the secret. You offer it freely to us every day. Help us focus on You so that we may see the beauty of Your love. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: No matter my circumstances, I will trust Christ to give me strength.
Open your hearts and minds to Christ! Pastor Liz
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