[12] I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, [13] so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. [14] And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:12–14)
Members of Ohio District churches are looking for an infusion of hope. Society continues to move further and further from God. As our culture withdraws from Christ, it tries to drag us with it. It raises a question: Where do we find hope?
Historically, one way God inspired hope in his people was reminding them of times when he delivered their ancestors from great trials. In doing so, God kept his mission of restoring all people to himself moving forward. We especially see this in the Psalms. Time and again God used the Psalmists to share the story of the children of Israel being delivered from slavery in Egypt.
God is doing the same for us through Philippians 1:12-14. The Apostle Paul was imprisoned due to his faith and his testimony about the Christ. His life was truly in danger. Think about how this might have devastated the early church. Paul was the original missionary to the Gentiles. Once he was arrested, outsiders could easily dismiss his message about the Christ as untrustworthy. This says nothing of the loss of confidence of God’s people. How could the Gospel move forward without its foremost leader?
Yet God took this trial and redeemed it. Paul said that instead of slowing God’s mission, his arrest was actually advancing the Gospel. In fact, the imprisonment made other Christians more confident in speaking the Word of God.
What does this mean for us? It means we should look for how God is working through the trials we are experiencing. Until Jesus returns, God will continue to engage in His mission to see all people come to faith in Jesus. We are privileged that God includes us in his work.
(A Second Look devotions are written for the congregations of the Ohio District LCMS.)
Kevin Wilson 360 