Philippians 2:1-11
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Devotion
Yesterday we saw how Paul maintained an attitude of gratitude despite his difficult circumstances. Today, we will see how Paul maintained a heart of joy despite his circumstances. In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul writes more about joy and rejoicing than any of his other letters. Please keep in mind, Paul is writing this letter from prison. Clearly his joy was not the product of his circumstances. His joy was tied into his relationship with God and with other people. His daily relationship with Christ was the foundation of his unshakable joy.
In his book Discipleship Essentials, Greg Ogden defines joy this way: “Joy is living under the pleasure of the Father’s delight in you.” Several of the principles that Ogden presents are very important parts of our theological training. The first principle is that part of the foundation for joy is that we are recipients of God’s grace and peace through Christ. Not a day passes that I am not aware of God’s grace and peace in my life. Only someone in a faith relationship with Jesus can say this. Awareness of God’s grace and peace are crucial in experiencing the kind of joy that Paul is talking about in Philippians.
Another foundation for joy is to be completely sold out to Jesus. Half-hearted commitment to Christ will cause one to question the authenticity of the joy that is found in knowing Christ intimately. Surrendering to the lordship of Christ is necessary in order to experience true biblical joy. If we are to experience the joy of Christ, we must choose to live in submission to His lordship. I remember a sweet little song from my childhood that went like this: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” It is not an accident that “joy” is the second fruit of the Spirit mentioned in the list found in Galatians 5:22.
Another foundation for joy is to be meaningfully connected in the fellowship of a local church. As I look back on the last forty years as a believer, I realize that some of the most joyful times in my life have involved my spiritual family. I believe this is by God’s design. God saves us and then places us in a relational environment where we can grow and experience the “abundant life” that Jesus promised us in John 10:10.
Biblical joy is stable because it is rooted in hope. Hope is the confident expectation of a positive outcome. Only those who have trusted Christ for their salvation have this hope. Therefore, Paul writes, “but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit…” Only those who have trusted in a resurrected Savior have this kind of hope and experience the kind of joy that Paul is writing about.
Questions to Ponder
What trials are you facing today? How might God be using your trial to advance His kingdom and the Good News of Jesus? Are your responses to trials and suffering bringing glory to God? Where do you look for inspiration when you are discouraged by the weight of your trials? Do you have the eternal hope that is only found in Jesus? Are you experiencing biblical joy?
Prayer Points
- I declare Lord Almighty, You are the Servant of all. With a humble heart and long suffering, You came to serve and not be served. Full of love, compassion, mercy and tenderness. You are full of exceeding joy.
- Thank You Lord for turning my eyes to You. You have written eternity upon my heart, the boundary lines have fallen on me in pleasant places and I have a good inheritance in You God. Thank You that my life is wrapped up in You and my story is being written all for Your glory.
- Have mercy upon me Lord, forgive me when my eyes are fixed on my problems, my pain, and the pain in this world. I’m sorry Lord for forgetting Who You are and Who is in charge. I am asking that You remind me throughout the day to rest in Your Presence. Teach me to abide in You and walk in Your truth and love. Thank You Lord for delighting in me by Your Holy Spirit.
- Slow us down today Father. I ask that You would lead us into Your Truth and on a straight path by Your Holy Spirit. Let Your love and joy overflow from our hearts and lives today. I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
- Break into our Government situation and shine Your light and truth. I ask for You to raise up righteousness and tear down wickedness. Teach us how to pray for ALL our leaders every day. Bring salvation to their hearts and in the hearts of their families.
Suggested Prayer
Abba, thank You for Your word in Jeremiah 15:16 that states, “when Your Words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O Lord God Almighty. Thank You my Hope of Glory, for residing in me and setting me apart for You and Your glory. Thank You for calling me, saving me and giving me life in You. Thank You Lord for guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. You tell me to bring everything to You in prayer, in every season of the soul. Oh God thank You for never changing, thank You for never letting me go nor becoming weary of me, but instead loving me fully and perfectly. Oh God, thank You that my heart will not fear bad news, but rather by Your infilling Holy Spirit I will trust You and Your ways. Thank You Lord that You are a God Who delights in me and You sing over me with rejoicing. Cause me and Your church to hear the song You are singing over us. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to go out into the world making the most of every opportunity. I ask in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, amen.