“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” ( Philippians 1:21)
In much of life we are governed by the belief that one must win at someone’s loss. For example, whenever there are General Elections only one Presidential candidate wins. Life as most of us know is about winning and loss.
In the Christian life it is different. As the Apostle Paul once shared with some believers based in the church in Philippi, when we live in this earthly life we are happy for the gift of life; yet, where death comes, still, we count that as victory, for the gift of eternal life. “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far ( Philippians 1: 22-23).
Paul was not hesitant to point out that life is far much better: “but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” ( vv 24). After all, with life one can accomplish a lot and participate in the joy of building the kingdom. Thus he writes, “Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me” ( vv 25- 26).
Life is certainly far more desirable than death.
Yet where there is death, for believers it is but a win-win situation. We win with life; but even in death, we win! No one should of course desire for death ahead of schedule, for, as with Paul, each one of us has a reason and justification for life. But where there is death happens, we too, rejoice, for one is matching to inexpressible glory. “And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel” ( 2 Timothy 2:10).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, even where we see a life lost, how blessed is it to know that because of our faith in your son Jesus Christ, death has been overcome, and we are victorious, weather in life or death, and for this we are thankful, all we pray in Jesus’s name!
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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
