Chapter 1, Verse 12 “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel,”
No one who knew about Paul and his companions’ imprisonment was happy about it. We are not wrong to assume that prayers were being offered all over the brotherhood for their release. It was one of those occasions where men failed to understand the plan of God. God had previously demonstrated His ability and willingness to set His people free. Peter is a good case in point. Paul’s party’s continuance in their imprisonment was a part of God’s plan for the gospel. A reminder that we should always consider adding, “As you will,” to our prayers.
Good things can come from bad when turned over to God. The Bible demonstrates that precept over and over again. Due to our limited knowledge of the true state of affairs our desires, and thus our prayers, are often counter to God’s plans. We must learn to trust Him even when our prayers are not answered in the way we desire. God used Paul’s imprisonment to advance the gospel rather than hinder it. They would not have guessed that and neither would we. It was a good point to make to the Philippians because it reminded them to trust God.
Task for Today: When you pray today, remember to leave room for God to do what He thinks needs to be done with your prayer. We must keep in mind that we have a very narrow view of the world and God’s eternal plan. We also need to remember that our prayers are not to be selfish and we have no right to be angry with God when He doesn’t agree with us. I like to remind myself of Abraham’s trust in God when he said, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” (Genesis 18:25)
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