Philippians 1:18-20 "What then? notwithstanding,
every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein
do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. (19) For I know that this shall
turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus
Christ, (20) According to my earnest expectation and my hope,
that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all
boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in
my body, whether it be by life, or by death."
Paul had just said Jesus is declared and he was set for the defence of the
Gospel. That is to say, he was ready to speak and give an answer for the hope
that was in him. Peter spoke of this same defence in his letter to those people
who had been scattered because of persecution. "But sanctify the
Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an
answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15)
There were men who tried to cause trouble for Paul because of his marvelous
conversion experience on the road to Damascus. They were speaking the name of
Jesus out of strife and envy trying to speak contention and cause further
problems for Paul.
Paul had confidence in the power of Jesus Christ to deliver from all
situations and circumstances, including his being in prison. My thoughts
for today are found in these words, "For I know...According to my earnest
expectation and my hope..." We can have that assurance of
understanding when we place our confidence in the Lord and our expectation is
founded in His ability, wisdom, and power. Paul was confident, not in his
own power, but in the power of Jesus Christ.
May our confidence and hope (expectation) be found in our precious Lord. Ask, seek, and knock for the wisdom, power, and determination to stand strong in the absolute truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His expectations were solidified through prayer and the Spirit of Christ Jesus. We can have those same expectations by trusting the power of Jesus Christ.