Boldness and confidence

"He who has begun a good work in you is faithful to complete it until the last day, it is just that I feel this for you all, because I hold you in my heart" (Philippians 1: 6-7).

You can see the love that Paul has for the Philippians here. And because of this great love, he suffers with them because of the difficult circumstances they are going through.

A few years ago, some of our dear friends lost their jobs and had to move into a small apartment with their children.

Of course, I hurt them and as a father with a child, I wanted something better for them. But what do you do when you hurt others ? In this situation, my prayer for these friends was something like this : "Lord, why ? What is wrong ? Lord, can not you help them ? Give them each a job." admit that I was very disturbed by their situation.

Compare this with Paul's prayer : "I thank my God with all my remembrance of you, always in all my prayers for all of you, praying with joy" (Philippians 1: 3-4).

There was no anxiety, fear, stress or lack of confidence. Paul was very grateful and prayed with great joy ! Where does it come from ? Let's look at what Paul tells us in verse 6 one more time.

"And I'm sure of that." Of course what ?

"The one who started a good job ... Paul says the reason he can be sure and the reason he can have joy is him ... Jesus, he gives daring and trust.

Trust comes to believers in Christ Jesus when they can say this sentence : "I am sure of this, that IT."

The focus is on IT. He did it. It's not the doctor. It's not the financial magician. It is Jesus who started this good work in you and he will be faithful to complete it !

Gary Wilkerson