10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Vs. 10 - “you have revived your concern for me” - He thanks God. They are providing assistance for the furtherance of his ministry to the Gentiles. See Phil. 2:25-30 as background for this statement. The church in Philippi provided both gifts of support and an emissary to provide help to Paul.
- “But you lacked opportunity” - They had not stopped being concerned and caring for Paul on his missionary journeys. It is not clear what prevented them from providing offerings and assistance to Paul - whether economic depression or persecution. My bet is on persecution.
Vs. 11 - “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am” - It would seem that contentment is the opposite of anxiety. (Well. Duh!) Compare this with verse six above. This day’s devotion from “Jesus Calling” (by Sarah Young) said, “Practice trusting Me during quiet days, when nothing much seems to be happening.” Giving thanks during good times, acknowledging His grace, means not claiming for myself the successes I experience. It all comes from and through Jesus. Giving credit to anyone else is denying Christ. Giving Jesus credit in good times should prepare my heart to acknowledge and express my need for His grace during bad. Don’t claim “I did this!” in good circumstances; and ask “Why is God doing this to me?” in bad.
Vs. 12 - “get along with humble means... how to live in prosperity” - Humble means or prosperity; abundance or suffering want - both ends of the spectrum.
- “I have learned the secret...” - Amazing! Paul’s focus is so solidly fixed on Jesus that what happens in the here and now is not worth thinking about. How else could he call the persecution suffered as “light and momentary”? (2 Cor. 7:14) Not because he is just blowing through as if nothing was there.
After major surgery (hip replacement, total knee replacement, etc.) the physical therapy is daunting. The pain of recovery from the surgery is one thing, but the rebuilding the muscle strength, the regaining flexibility of the tendons and ligaments is painful daily. Sometimes is seems there is no end to the pain, the discomfort, the lack of sleep. What keeps you going? Knowing that one day you will walk without pain; you will play with your grandchildren; you will go up stairs without a hitch. You bear the pain now for the end result.
Vs. 13 - “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” - That is our secret! We can do all things through Christ Jesus. Give Him the glory and thanksgiving when we see success. Give Him the thanksgiving and glory for lifting us up in the failures or stressful portions of our lives. It is Christ who lives in me.
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