Day 198, Philippians 1
Today we begin a letter that was written from prison to the church in Philippi, Macedonia, which was birthed as the first church in Europe from Paul’s ministry of obedience to the Holy Spirit. You can read the story in Acts 16. Paul, Silas, and Timothy came to Macedonia in obedience to a heavenly vision, and one of their actions while staying with Lydia and sharing the gospel in the city of Phillipi was to bring deliverance to a young girl afflicted with a spirit of divination (the Python spirit). Labelled Jewish troublemakers by those who stood to lose business as a result of the girl’s freedom, Paul and his companions were beaten and thrown in jail. As they worshiped and prayed through the night, there was an earthquake and the prison doors flew open, demonstrating the freedom God can bring (to the girl who was the cause of the uproar and to these Jewish evangelists who were the victims). The jailer and his whole family are saved, and the local authorities beg them all to leave the city.
All of this would have been front of mind for Paul, who is now writing from prison to his friends in the city, to address their suffering, and to urge unity in the joyous freedom that only Jesus can give.
Paul begins the letter with greetings and an account of his prayers for them that focus on what God has done and the fruit of their alignment with God’s heart and values (which is the foundational meaning of the word we translate righteousness).
Paul goes on to speak of his imprisonment, and to honestly describe how he has responded to the suffering accompanying it. Far from being downcast or discouraged, he is rejoicing in the spread of the gospel (or revelation) of Jesus. He is also longing for freedom - to be with Jesus - yet also the freedom to be released and visit them again.
It’s hard to live for Jesus in the midst of opposition, yet the suffering is worthwhile for the united, joyful courage it brings.
What are you enduring today? How can you join Paul in joyful praise to God until He opens the prison doors for you?
Have a great day!
Mark.