“And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s” (Philippians 1:12-14)

The apostle Paul was the kind of guy who liked to get out and get things done. He took action and went out and accomplished things for God. But as a prisoner in Rome, Paul found himself stuck . . . immobilized . . . unable to move.

Perhaps you are immobilized in some way right now. Maybe it is some kind of disability. Maybe you’re stuck in a really tough marriage or in a job you really don’t want work in. Maybe you’re living somewhere you wish you didn’t live. Whatever it is, you feel immobilized.

Yet notice how Paul, despite his circumstances, was able to rejoice. He wrote, “And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.” (Philippians 1:12). Even under arrest, Paul was looking on the bright side. He was saying, “I believe I am here because God wants me here. But this isn’t what I planned.”

And then Paul went on to talk about the guards: “For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. ” (verse 13). Take notice, these were not just any guards; they were an elite unit of the Imperial Roman Army whose members served as personal security forces to the Roman emperors. They were highly skilled soldiers.

How could you not become a Christian while being chained to the Apostle Paul? Apparently some of the guards did come to Christ, because later in Philippians Paul wrote, “And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household .” (Philippians 4:22).

This is never what Paul planned, but it is what God planned. Maybe you’re in a place right now that you never planned on. You are there by divine design. God has put you where you are for such a time as this.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of salvation. I know my feelings sometimes get in the way of my faith, so I am asking for Your strength and wisdom to trust You during these times. I praise You for those times of trial because I know they are making me more like You. Help me to continue to learn from You, so I can help others when their stuck, immobilized and unable to move. Thank You for working out the good and difficult for Your eternal glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org