When I was young, I used to think that the greatest thing in the world would be to own a time machine. I thought it would be great to go back in time knowing what I know now and live life with uncertainties removed. The truth of the matter is that we hate uncertainties don't we? We think that if only we could remove uncertainties we would be able to sleep better at night.
Yesterday I continued with the series on Joy from Philippians and how it is found in unlikely places and under unlikely circumstances. In Philippians 1:12-19, Paul shows how joy can be experienced in times of uncertainty.
I talked previously about the fact that Paul is in prison and uncertain about His future and in the text for today we are going to discuss how there were several uncertainties surrounding Paul and the ministry.
EXPERIENCING JOY THROUGH UNCERTAINTY
1) SEE THE GOD SIDE OF A DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCE (v. 12)
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,
The Philippians were concerned for two reasons--first for Paul's well-being and second for the future of the Gospel. In response, they sent one of their own to accompany Paul. Paul then writes to assure them that there was good in this difficult circumstance. He informed the Christians at Philippi that God had actually used his imprisonment to advance the gospel. He basically says, “Yeah I’m in prison and may die here, but here is the good news..."The Gospel is advancing all the more through my imprisonment."
One thing the enemy wants more than anything is for you to ruin an opportunity to make much of God in a difficult circumstance. Paul truly saw the God Side of his difficult circumstance. May this also be true of us.
2) REMAIN FAITHFUL IN UNCERTAIN TIMES (vv. 13-14)
So that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.
Although Paul was down in that he was confined to prison at Rome, he was certainly not out. While in Prison at Rome he had freedom to teach, preach, and write and makes mention in v.13 that he has remained faithful to the cause of Christ by making Him known in chains. He says "it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard (the elite troops housed in the emperor's palace) and to everyone else (others probably in the palace, other believers, those who came to visit Paul, those in power, and members of the Jewish community) that my imprisonment is for Christ."
Often when times of uncertainty and difficulty come our spiritual life gets put on hold until it has past. Paul, however, did not miss a beat but remained faithful in uncertain times because he realized that his current circumstances were not as important as what he did with them.
3) KNOW THAT GOD CAN USE ANY SITUATION FOR HIS GLORY (vv. 15-18)
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Another issue Paul faced while in prison was that there were some who were preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry with their minds set on afflicting Paul. Paul simply responds by saying, "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice." Paul rejoiced because whether they had false or pure motives, Christ was being preached.
I believe if it was written in Paul’s day, his favorite song would have been, "In my life Lord." Paul, however, might have added some verses to his version. His song might be sung, "In these chains Lord, Be glorified, Be glorified...Whether in life or in death Lord, Be glorified, Be glorified...Through the words of the arrogant and envious Lord, Be glorified, Be glorified."
What's the song you need to sing? "In my financial difficulty Lord, Be Glorified, Be glorified...Through the loss of a loved one Lord, Be glorified, Be glorified...In my bout with cancer Lord, Be glorified, Be glorified?” Know and trust that God can use any situation for His glory.
4) RELY UPON THE PRAYERS OF GOD'S PEOPLE AND THE PROVISION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance,
Paul’s strength to continue on in this period of uncertainty came from two sources. First, Paul was encouraged knowing that fellow believers were holding him up before the Lord in prayer. He also recognized and was thankful for divine assistance as well.
Paul was encouraged and confident in this difficult circumstance because of the provision of the Holy Spirit. The word provision describes a full and sufficient supply of what is needed. In other words, Paul is making the point that the Holy Spirit is his sufficient resource for everything.
When you are in your time of need, how do you handle it? Let me encourage you, no matter the situation to do two things. 1) Seek out prayer from the people of God 2) And rely upon the power and presence of the Spirit.
CONCLUSION:
Paul could have become depressed, discouraged, or disillusioned. He could have wallowed in self-pity and despair. He could have demanded answers to the uncertainties he faced, but instead, he regarded his imprisonment as being appointed by God and did not waste this opportunity to make much of Him in this time of uncertainty. He never got angry with God, but instead was grateful for the way God cared for him through the prayers of His people and the provision of His Spirit.
