Philippians 1:21-30

Philippians 1:22-30

Point - When you know where you belong you can face anything.

Where is God in the midst of my troubles? Why does it appear that God has given up on me and allowing me to face the situations I am facing?

You may have heard this saying, “It’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey.” I believe it’s about both.

The destination is what we can be excited about when the journey feels difficult or lengthy.

Often, we struggle with the tension of believing God is love and God is good while we (his children) are struggling and facing issues and we live not knowing what is about to happen to us.

Paul presents an interesting dichotomy of thoughts in Philippians 1!

He’s joyful while in prison because his imprisonment (his confinement is advancing the Gospel); now he is breaking down his thought process concerning his own life and he finds himself in a win/win situation.

In other words, Paul knew he would be delivered - he would either find freedom from prison (physically) and continue to advance the kingdom of God and continue to do the work God had called him to; or he would find freedom from this fallen world and find himself in the presence of Jesus.

And if it was God’s will for Paul to best glorify Jesus by laying down his life, then Paul would be well pleased by the opportunity. Because for the Christian, death is not a defeat but graduation to glory!

It’s of infinite and ultimate gain (kerdos: profit, advantage, a winning trade). This is because then we will have true, eternal union with Christ without our sinful human nature standing in the way.

We’ll be free from distractions, sin, pain, decay, and death. Christ will be right before us to behold with our eyes and worship at His feet.

It would be reasonable for Paul to ask these kinds of questions, right? Remember where he is (in jail) and why (for preaching the gospel).

But Paul never lost sight that God was with him. Paul never retreated from God but pressed further into Him. This allowed him to see that every trial has a testimony, every grief has a God story, and every pain has a purpose.

In this life, we are going to face pain and hardships; And we can also “glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3–5 NIV).

He can redeem our suffering and use it to transform the lives of the people around us and serve to minister to other believers who are also suffering.

When we understand that God loves us, that He’s our good shepherd, that in Him we are whole and experience fullness of joy, peace, and power, that He redeems all things and works His good purposes in all things, then we can see our trials for what they are and recognize His good work in our lives.