21 Nov December 5th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT PHILIPPI

APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING

Philippians 1:12-14 “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.”

The phrase “appearances can be deceiving” means that things can look different from the way they really are. It suggests that you should look closely at your surroundings because the truth might not be obvious. The phrase is often used to describe situations where things are not as they seem, and to warn people not to make judgments based solely on appearances. (Oxford Dictionary of Phrase)

One would think that being in prison would not be viewed by the one imprisoned as good.  This would especially be true if they were behind bars because of trumped up charges by their enemies.  This was the case for St. Paul.  He was being persecuted because of his preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.

St. Paul writes in Philippians 1:12-14 that he was unjustly imprisoned.  However, the goal of his enemies to silence his gospel preaching was not working.  He says, instead of looking at his imprisonment negatively, he wanted the Philippian Christians to see the good things that were happening because he was in prison.  He then listed them:  “ . . . 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.”

Joseph said to his brothers concerning their abuse of him that they meant it for his harm while God meant it for good. (Genesis 50:19-21)  Jesus was unjustly executed by the Romans on Calvary, but by His sacrificial death on Calvary’s cross, He paid your complete debt to God.  (Isaiah 53:5)  Remember, appearances in your life can also be deceiving.

As you go through temptations, trials, suffering and set-backs of all kinds, 1 Corinthians 10:13 says to whatever is happening to you, “No temptation (trial, tribulation, difficulty, trouble)  has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Prayer:  O Lord, grant me the eyes of faith to trust that no matter what is happening in my life you will cause it to be for my good.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Children of the heav’nly Father

Safely in His bosom gather;

Nestling bird nor star in heaven

Such a refuge e’er was given.

God His own doth tend and nourish;

In His holy courts they flourish.

From all evil things He spares them;

In His mighty arms He bears them.

Neith life nor death shall ever

From the Lord His children sever;

Unto them His grace He showeth,

And their sorrows all He knoweth.

Though He giveth or He taketh,

God His children ne’er forsaketh;

His the loving purpose solely

To preserve them pure and holy.

(LSB 725)