Bible Reading
Philippians 4:1-23:
1Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
2I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
3And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
10But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
14Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
16For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
17Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
21Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.
22All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Devotional
Christians are never to be overwhelmed by despair. They are not to be overcome by distresses and sorrows. They will have suffering and bereavement; but they are nevertheless to rejoice always. They are commanded to rejoice with Christian joy, in the Lord, at all times.
Perhaps at the end of this week some of us may be experiencing great relief at the removal of burdens that troubled us at the beginning of the week; perhaps we are rejoicing in the Lord in this time of deliverance. However, some of us may still have large problems, or we may go through some very unpleasant trials in the coming week. It may seem difficult for some of us to rejoice. But shall not all of us rejoice in the Lord? All who trust in Him are His and He is theirs. He is greater than all our problems. Though we be poor, we are rich in Him. Though we be weak, in Him we are strong. Though we be forsaken and rejected by the world, He will never leave us nor forsake us. Though all men should hate us, none can ever separate us from His love. There is blessing for us in this life and there is an exalted destiny for us who are His in the life to come. Nothing should obscure for us our blessedness in Christ, and nothing should prevent our rejoicing in Him at all times.
For January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, we are planning to post Andrew Kuyvenhoven's
Daylight, a full-year daily devotional, with each month devoted to a particular theme (January—Your Kingdom Come, February—Living with God, March—Sharing the Suffering of Christ, etc.).
So that we can begin the Kuyvenhoven postings on January 1, we are re-posting until then devotional selections from
Think on These Things, a daily devotional prepared by the late Dr. John H. Skilton, an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and for many years Chairman of the New Testament Department at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia.
We are indebted to
P & R Publishing and
Skilton House Ministries for permission to use this copyrighted material on the OPC Web site. (P & R held the copyright from 1975 to 2005, at which time they reassigned the copyright to Skilton House.)
