The apostle Paul was a pastor, teacher, missionary, writer of Scripture and now a prisoner for Jesus Christ. That was a remarkable career for anyone to have in any era.
We marvel that he does not ask his converts to pray for his release from prison so that he can more effectively—and to much greater audiences—preach the Gospel. What is important to Paul is not so much his own situation but the spiritual progress of those Christians to whom he writes.
We can learn a lesson here concerning our own suffering. Ask yourself, "Is my family seeing the grace of God in my life? Are those for whom I have a spiritual responsibility encouraged in their faith by how I submit to the will of God for me?"
No one can tell Paul that he should pray for deliverance from his present life threatening situation. Hear what Paul says about his suffering and learn why he chooses to stay under the horrible conditions—and likely death.
“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.” Philippians 1:12-14 (NIV)
So Paul is clearly not wishing to free himself from the problem he faces. He sees benefits to others that could only come from his personal suffering. In modern Christianity today, all we want is to escape the grief that comes upon us in life. We ignore what is happening around us because of our difficult circumstances.
When Dr. James Boyce, minister of the great Tenth Avenue Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, was diagnosed with a terminal cancer some years ago, he calmly accepted his situation. He was a glorious witness to the amazing grace of God for the next couple of months until he went to be with Jesus.
Look again at the situation around you and try to see if anyone is witnessing your calm manner in adversity. Your submission to the Lord will be a better witness than any words you could ever say about God's grace or the worth of following Christ.
In speaking of the "storms of life" John Newton penned the following words.
Be gone unbelief my Saviour is near
and for my relief will shortly appear
By faith let me wrestle and He will perform,
with Christ in the vessel I smile at the storm.
Soon enough your problems will be gone. Your Saviour shall bring the needed relief in His time.
What do you want? Is the glory of God more important to you than relief from your temporary problem? How will you view today from the vantage point of heaven? Live for Jesus today, and accept His needed help for the journey until the eternal day dawns and all sorrows fade into the distant past.
