Devotions based on week 9 of Joy in the Journey: Peace (WATCH HERE)
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!
The bond was tight.
Look at the words that are used.
“My brothers…”
“Whom I love…”
“Whom I long for”
“My joy”
“My crown”
“Dear friends”
The connection Paul had with the Philippian Christians was much deeper than “belonging to the same church.” The relationship was built much stronger than “we can spend one hour together.” The place the Philippians had in Paul’s heart was deep.
How many people can you say this about?
Your spouse? Your children? Your best friend? Your coworkers? Your fellow church members?
It’s quite a list.
It’s quite a description of relationships built on something stronger than a common interest or a passing interaction. This is the reflection of one who has been touched by the grace of God and has felt and experienced it with others. Look at this list again…
“My brothers”…because we share the same Father:
Galatians 3:26 In fact, you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
“Whom I love” because I have been loved:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
“Whom I long for…” because he was the object of Christ’s heartfelt longing for him:
Acts 22:14 “Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear the sound of his voice. 15 For you will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.
“My joy…” because he knew the joy of being the lost sheep that was found!
Luke 15:7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent.
“My crown…” from one on whom the crown of mercy and compassion was placed
Psalm 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—
3 who pardons all your guilt, who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with mercy and compassion,
5 who satisfies your life with goodness, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
“My friend…” of one who knew he was a friend of God!
John 15:14 You are my friends if you continue to do the things I instruct you. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.
The bond that Paul felt for the Philippians is the bond that he knew and experienced with his Savior. It’s a bond that only God’s people can have, enjoy and share.
Apply: Consider your relationships with people. How many of these phrases would you use for that person? How might your relationship with the Lord be strengthened to strengthen your relationships with others?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for having a caring, meaningful, personal relationship with me. Enable me to show similar to the people in my life so they might see you! AMEN.