Day 272

Isaiah 57:15–59:21; Philippians 1:1-26; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 24:9-10

TODAY WE BEGAN Paul’s letter to the Philippians. There is very little debate among biblical scholars about Paul’s authorship of this letter, nor is there much debate about Paul’s incarceration when he wrote it. Most would agree that Philippians was written from Rome about AD 61, while Paul awaited trial before the emperor. With this in mind, we realize that we are again reading another very early Christian text that predates the Gospels and the book of Acts.

Philippi was a Roman colony in the region of Macedonia (modern northern Greece). Although Philippi was prosperous, the church was not particularly wealthy. But they were rich in love and concern for Paul, and this letter, in part, is a thank-you.

Knowing that Paul was imprisoned, the church at Philippi sent Epaphroditus, a member of the congregation, to Rome to see how Paul was faring and to bring him a gift from the congregation to lift his spirits. Of course, Paul was overjoyed and comforted.

Epaphroditus served Paul for a long time, and in the process, he became gravely ill and nearly died. When God restored him to health, Paul was determined to send him back to Philippi with this letter, which shares his circumstances. But Philippians is much more than a missionary update. In Philippians, Paul gives language to the joy of our salvation more than in any of his other letters and encourages us to persevere in the knowledge that “[we] can do all things through Christ who strengthens [us]” (Philippians 4:13, NKJV). In these uncertain times, Philippians stands as a beacon, guiding us where our true hope and joy lies —in Christ alone.

MEDITATION:

Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the LORD will answer. “Yes, I am here,” he will quickly reply.