He Waited...
Philippians 2:19, Devotional #4

If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon. Then when he comes back, he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along.
Philippians 2:19

Father, we take for granted our ability to communicate with others. One of our sons lives 3,000 miles away and we can talk with him in seconds, email him instantly, and even talk on cell phones to some really remote places. This ease of communication was not the case for Paul and the people of his day. Today, if I am discouraged or down in the dumps, I can pick up the phone and talk to someone who cares.

Paul had pals with him while he was in prison for his preaching the news about Jesus. But he didn't have many. He communicated the message of Jesus to those in Philippi and he had no idea how they were doing. News traveled slowly! And the reality of his situation was so real and close: prison and facing death. He wanted to know about the "fruit of his efforts." Timothy helped him write his letter.  Timothy was like Paul's own son, and now, was he going to send him away? He wanted to...but he just wasn't able to just now. He would have to wait.

And his waiting, Father, was on Jesus. As soon as Jesus was "willing" then Paul was going to send Timothy. That's sweet to me. That's peace to me. Paul was totally trusting in his relationship with Jesus, with You. He knew that nothing would happen that You did not want to happen. And so, he waited and would find out soon enough. Father, may we wait for You in every situation also. Come Holy Spirit!

Thank You, Father, in Jesus name. Amen.

Love, Dad / Danny