03- 02- 11 MI DAILY DEVOTION (Philippians 4:16- 19)
WE NEED FAITH FOR SUPPLICATION
16- “For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17- Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18- But 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. 19- But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
The greatest follower of the Lord Jesus Christ was in need but it does not mean that he was not in want. Although he was in need but Paul knew contentment and he practiced contentment in his daily life. For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. With little and with much, Paul has the satisfaction and contentment in all areas of life. But Paul has the faith in God’s providence even in his lowest point in life. This was something that he did not learn from Ananias and Gamaliel but from the Word of God and in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was in prison, under persecution, problems with people, under pressure and went through a powerful storm and shipwrecked, but Paul said; “For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Paul made something great out of every situation, be it in trials or in triumph or in problems and prosperity. He made something good out of the prison cell to the pinnacle of the church or temple. He knows how to suffer and he knows how to enjoy God’s grace and supplication. It requires faith, strong and true faith in God. In verse 18, Paul recognized the generosity of those who supported him while he was out there in the field as well as when he was in prison for the sake of Christ and while doing the work of the Lord. He also recognized their faithfulness to God, but all those things did not work out well without the faith and the love of Paul for God and His cause. Notice what he said in verse 18, "I have all, and abound...” Paul has no other desire because he has more than enough. Paul was saying, I do not desire a gift for the gift’s sake, “for I have all, and abound.’’ They sent him a small token and he did appreciate all of them but it also requires faith. “I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent by you.” We are indeed a needy people and we either give or receive. People are also full of discontentment and we’re not satisfied of what we already have; we want more and more. But whatever we need as God’s children, we believe like the Apostle Paul that He will supply such needs according to His riches in glory. But we need faith for our supplication. The Lord provided the need of Abraham for his offering to God when he sacrificed Isaac. He also provided the need of Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness for as long as they were on their way to the promise land. The Lord provided the needs of Elijah when he obeyed God in his journey and ministry. All these and many more is the Lord’s testimony of grace and supplication by faith. The Lord is the one who supply all our needs, but we also need to exercise our faith in Him in every situation and condition. When Apostle Paul was in prison, he learned to exercise his faith in God even when he was about to be executed. It was Paul’s desire to be a testimony of God’s grace. Verse 19- But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
