Even If, No Matter
Philippians 2:17-18, Devotion #1

But even if my life is poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you. And you should be happy about this and rejoice with me.
Philippians 2:17-18

Father, we don't like it when bad stuff happens: when people get hurt, premature death happens or folks get treated unjustly. When a gun goes off in a young child's hand and accidentally takes the life of another child, when a mother leaves a child in a car while she runs into the store only to return to the death of her baby due to heat build up in that car, war, bad politics, bad religion . . . and on and on! Yes, there are so many things we could list here . . . things we just don't like. And we don't like it when we make mistakes or when bad stuff happens because of something we do or did.

Paul was in prison when he wrote these words we read here in Philippians. I'm sure if he could have gotten out of the mess he was in, he would have. His attitude was so clear, though. He would "rejoice" whatever the circumstances were as long as Your work was happening in other people's lives. He is the one who wrote, "Whatever we go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us" (Romans 8:18). And he wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).

You see, Father, we want to pick and choose the good things in life, but, reality is, even if the bad stuff happens, no matter what it is, we will rejoice in You and in knowing that You are in control. Help us to do that. The devil has already been defeated. Eternal life has already begun. The victory is Yours.

Yes, Father, help us to cause no pain or evil, and thank You that if we do, You are in the midst of it bringing about your glory and purpose! Come Holy Spirit.

Thank you, Father, in Jesus name. Amen.

Love, Dad / Danny