CHAINS: MAKE IT COUNT

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.” ~ Philippians 1:12

REFERENCE:

Philippians 1:12-18

Paul was in jail in Rome. The natural reaction of his disciples would be, “He has offended God.” The Philippians knew God once jail-broke Paul; now, where is that God? Paul wrote to assure them that although he was in jail, he was in the will of God and God was with him.

It is possible to be in the will of God, pleasing and serving God, and still find yourself in difficult situations. It is because we live in a world ruled by satan, who does everything to frustrate the work of God and the executors of the work. Paul was a threat to satan’s reign, so he arranged for his arrest. You may be a generous giver, a pastor, a psalmist, a Sunday school teacher, or an evangelist, but it does not stop satan from putting stumbling blocks in your way.

Paul was undaunted by his detention; he used it to witness to the guards in prison and other prisoners. In this Roman jail, he wrote the epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. He could have been sad, wondering why God would not jailbreak him as He did in Philippi (Acts 16:26), but he chose to make his chains count. I imagine him with his pen and paper, writing with chains on his wrists, and perhaps, his feet fettered to a prison ball.

Are you going through events that seem to contest God’s faithfulness in your life? Do you feel abandoned by God and friends? Are you dealing with a sense of betrayal and loneliness? Are you wondering why God has not made a way as He did in the past? You may not have all the answers, but like Paul, make it count for the kingdom of God. Let everything you are going through be to the advantage of the gospel. Take the chance to let the light and power of God shine forth. Let it witness Christ to someone. Don’t let satan make your pain produce tears; let it bring praise to God, edify the believers, and promote the Kingdom of God.

In 1997, Police unjustly arrested my friends and me in a car at night. We showed ID cards and told them where we were going, but to no avail. They locked us up with criminals overnight. The deal was to get someone to pay for your release in the morning. It was my most harrowing night yet, with prisoners shouting vile words. Around 2:00 am, I started to sing praises; later, those unjustly detained like me, with the convicts, began to sing. I preached after singing, and more than 20 people gave their lives to Christ.

Are you in a place you wish you were not, but life has detained you there? Make it count for God. You earn kingdom medals at such times. Rise above your regret, and make it count for God.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Luke 23:39-43, Matthew 5:11-12 & II Corinthians 4:7-9

PRAYERS:

+ Jesus, in His agony on the cross, still granted a man pardon. Lord, I receive grace not to let my pain stop me from extending love and grace to those around me.

+ I may not understand why You have not come to deliver me, Lord, but I will use my waiting period to serve Your will and purpose for my life.

+ Like an orange that produces sweet juice when crushed, may my unpleasant experience yield a sweet aroma unto God and those around me.