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Philippians 1:3-8
The Apostle Paul, immediately after completing his greeting to the church at Philippi, gives thanks for them to God in prayer with joy in request to God for them; for their fellowship in the gospel and their confidence in Christ Jesus as they await the return of Jesus which they expected to be on any given day and in the excitement of it. Paul notes that they are in his heart, which shows true compassion and love for them (Philippians 1:3-8).
This is an example of the love and caring that we all should have for one another in Christ.
The initial account of Paul preaching at Philippi is found in Acts 16:11-40. It may seem odd that Paul has such a profound connection to them as his visit to Philippi was not a pleasant one for him. He was arrested, beaten with rods, and placed in stocks in the prison. “But at midnight” (Acts 16:25, NKJV) during the darkest part of the night when all seemed to be lost, God rescued Paul and Silas as an earthquake shook the prison bars loose and set them free. This great event led to the salvation of the prison guard and his family (Acts 16:29-34) as the prison guard was about to kill himself because all the prisoners were set free as he would be held accountable for them by the governing authorities. God had different plans for the prison guard as God prevented his death and saved him and his family and gave them a new life – in Christ.
Even though Paul had a personal experience in his first visit to Philippi that was tough for him, a new church was planted, and God’s Holy Spirit was working in surprising ways in some people that we may not think to be on God’s radar. The truth is that we all are on God’s radar – to be saved, and to grow continually in our salvation and newly found relationships with Him – In Christ!
Dear LORD,
We all have or will experience a point in our lives that seems like the midnight of our lives, when it is the darkest point and all may appear to be lost. Please help us to see that You are always watching and are eager to save us from such a place and give us a new life, as You did for the prison guard and his family in Acts 16. Please be especially near those who may believe that their life is over and save them from their grief and sorrow into grace, peace, and joy through the filling of Your Holy Spirit and new life – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.