(I always feel like Columbo closing in on the killer when I say that)
I just realized that I have quoted from Philippians a couple times now. It is interesting how that happened. When all this happened, two Sundays ago, the only verse that came to mind was Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me). And it stayed with me.
Gretchen and Peter have a tradition of reading at night and part of the reading they do is a chapter (more or less) from the Bible. It was now my turn to pick up the mantle (I do it when we camp, etc. but this was taking over for a while) and I decided to start with Philippians, chapter 1. Paul is writing to the church at Philippi from prison, probably in Rome and possibly facing execution. In about verse 19 Paul starts talking about the pros and cons of his possible death ("to live is Christ, and to die is gain") and says he can't choose between the two. Finally, in verses 24 and 25 he says "Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith." And when I read that (I didn't tell Peter at the time) I strongly felt that I was being told that Gretchen would live because Peter and I both need her for our "progress and joy of faith."
There were many things that Paul wrote to the church at Philippi that ministered to us in this time of need. There were so many good things for us that we decided to read it a second time. Now we are done twice so I will see what new words there are for us tonight.
By the way, at Peter's suggestion we also read Psalm 6 a couple nights ago and it was also helpful.
Another fitting Psalm in another vein:
ReplyDeletePSALM 34
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
10 The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
21 Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Indeed, thanks!
DeleteJust realized that this post may lead people to think that I couldn't think of any other scripture besides Phil. 4:13. Not so. Many other verses came to mind but none provided the encouragement that Phil. 4:13 provided. It was the verse that I would need for the long haul and I needed it imprinted on my brain from the start.
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