Philippians 1:19 – “I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayers, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
The apostle Paul had been imprisoned for the second time for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who had so dramatically and strongly impacted this man (Paul) who used to persecute anyone connected to the Author of Salvation.
The more the apostle Paul preached the Gospel in the various cities where he traveled to, the more he was persecuted by the Roman authorities, and the more the Good News of Salvation was heard. The effect of his sufferings, beatings, imprisonments, were diametrically opposite to what his persecutors actually expected. “And his preaching and sufferings made him known – and Christ – in places where he would otherwise never be known”. (Matthew Henry). What a terrific amazing and super effective divine plan of “God, who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)
Paul was joyfully confident that everything he went through was for his benefit (and ours); that all his suffering would turn out to his salvation (and ours), also because of the prayers of the saints who were interceding on his behalf. And as the prayers were being spoken, God supplied and poured out more of the Spirit of Jesus Christ upon this apostle.
The divine plan of God to use Paul who wrote so many books in the New Testament which has been read by millions of people throughout the ages, should encourage us to truly believe “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
Dear Lord, help us be joyful in our afflictions, help us have a thankful heart in spite of the circumstances we may be in – or face, help us keep our eyes fixed on you, the author and perfector of our faith. Amen!
