February 1
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CHRIST EXALTED
But not only that, I also will rejoice, 19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. -Philippians 1:18-20
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In this letter, Paul is full of faith and conviction and rejoicing. He is certain that the prayers of the Philippians would be powerful for the Spirit of the Lord to move into his deliverance. It is in this belief in his friends and the power of the Holy Spirit that his hope is anchored on. It is the source of his boldness to proclaim the gospel despite the circumstance that he is in. His courage is exemplary and his situation is immaterial because he is sure that whether he dies or stay alive, he is going to stay faithful to exalt his Master and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. How many of us Christians have this kind of dependency, trust and obedience to Christ?
Barclay’s bible commentary says that in this situation Paul knows that he has two great supports. He has the support of the prayers of his friends. One of the loveliest things in Paul’s letters is the way in which he asks again and again for his friends’ prayers. He never talked to people as if he could do everything and they could do nothing; he always remembered that neither he, nor they, could do anything without the help of God. Barclay further writes “When people are in sorrow, one of their greatest comforts is the awareness that others are bearing them to the throne of grace. When they have to face some back-breaking effort or some heart-breaking decision, there is new strength in remembering that others are remembering them before God. We cannot call a man our friend unless we pray for him.
Paul knows that he has the support of the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the fulfilment of the promise of Jesus that he will be with us to the end of the world. In all this situation Paul has one expectation and one hope. Paul is certain that in Christ he will find courage never to be ashamed of the gospel; and that through Christ his labors will be made effective for all men to see.
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REFLECTION
• Do you count on other believer’s prayers to be an integral part of life as a believer? Why is it important to ask other Christians for prayers?
• How is Christ exalted when we pray for one another and depend on the Holy Spirit?