«I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content» (Philippians 4:11).
WHEN THE APOSTLE PAUL insisted, in his letter to the Philippians that they should always be content, he was confined to a Roman prison. Not because he had committed a crime, but because he had preached the name of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 1:12—14). How could someone who was unjustly imprisoned talk about rejoicing and, even stranger, tell others to rejoice, too?
Not only was Paul in prison, but he was in danger of being sentenced to death at any time. And he spoke about being happy? The most interesting thing is that in the Letter to the Philippians, the Apostle mentioned words such as «joy» and «rejoice» about sixteen times. What was the source of the apostle’s good spirits in these unfavorable circumstances?
We find the answer in what He wrote, «I have learned in whatever state I am to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me» (Philippians 4:11—13).
What Paul was saying here was that regardless of his situation, «it was not Paul who had to deal with the circumstances, but Christ who lived in him. » That was why he spoke of joy and not happiness. Remember that happiness depends on external circumstances—money, fame, pleasures—that can disappear in an instant, while the joy the Apostle experienced was a product of God’s love, which no one could take away from him.
How did the Apostle achieve this ideal? Two key terms from the text above (Philippians 4: 10—13) give us a clue. One is «learned.» In the midst of his harsh trials, Paul learned to develop the conviction that, under no circumstances, would Christ leave him alone. The other key term is «to be content.» In the Greek at that time, it meant «self-sufficiency.» Stoic philosophers used it to indicate «the state of mind in which a human being is absolutely independent of everything.” However, instead of «his self-sufficiency,» Paul gives the meaning here of «sufficiency in Christ.» A big difference!
Whether you are facing difficult trials at the time you are reading these lines, or whether your life is free of struggles, remember that that can change in a second. It’s not so with the love of Christ. Nothing and no one can take it away from you. Therefore, whatever your situation may be, «rejoice in the Lord.» You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!
Heavenly Father, whatever my situation may be today,
I want to rejoice in Jesus, my Lord.
May I believe, in the midst of my trials, that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Colaboradores: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
