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that greater power

Philippians 1:12 Now I have decided for you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,
Philippians 1:13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ.
Philippians 1:14 Most of the brothers have gained confidence in the Lord from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the word fearlessly.
Philippians 1:15 Yes, some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good intention.11
Philippians 1:16 These preach out of care, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
Philippians 1:17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking that they will cause me trouble in my imprisonment.
Philippians 1:18 What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I celebrate. Yes, and I will continue to celebrate.

that greater power

David Young Jr. wrote, “Sometimes things seem to go from bad to worse. Out of the frying pan and into the fire kind of bad. Yet, have you ever stopped to consider that God may be using some of what we find as “bad” to proclaim his glory? It is all too easy to just see the events before us and not consider that greater power of God who does the miraculous.”*

Paul understood that the very thing that was most wrong about his life at the moment was actually being used by God to do something right: to advance the gospel. He could have become bitter and disillusioned, and I am sure he felt that way at times. But he held to a strong trust in God’s sovereignty, a tenacious belief in God’s control over everything.

Thank you Lord, for that greater power, at work even in the bad things that happen.

* * Maranatha Daily Devotional “God Cares for his Own” Wednesday, January 20, 2016.