Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. (Philippians 2:17-18)
But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly. (Philippians 2:24)
I feel hopeful today – woke up with a smile in my spirit as we prepare to enter into a new year. Tomorrows are always filled with hope and promise.
When we read what Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians we see the hope he had and expressed for them. The above verses are a few excepts from the Philippians 2:17-30. I encourage you to read the full passagePaul was sending Timothy and had already sent Epaphroditus on to the church in Philippi and in verse 24 we see that Paul wrote he hoped to be coming soon. I love that he phrases it in terms of trust in the Lord, meaning that he fully put his life and destiny in God and what His plans were for his life.
The Greek word he uses here – “peitho” means to cause to come to a particular point of view or course of action. The idea is to come to a settled persuasion concerning something or to be persuaded. It means to be so convinced that one puts confidence in something or someone. Paul had come to a “settled persuasion” about his future this persuasion had a permanent effect or impact on him. Peitho is a strong verb, carrying the components of confidence, reliance, and hope.
Paul shows his willingness to follow God and proceed with his life regardless of what God’s decision was for him. If he was to remain, he would send Timothy and Paul would continue to minister to those around him in prison. If he was released, he would go to Philippi to minister to the church there. Either way he was going to be used by God. In our lives we can be used by God no matter where we are. Yes, we can have plans and preferences, but are we willing to go and serve/minister where He wants us to? Often it doesn’t look like where we want to go, but it is always where He wants us to be and ministering to people He puts in our path.
J. Vernon McGee wrote the following, asking the question many of us ask when we consider this: “Shouldn’t we have plans?” By all means we should make plans, but those plans always should be amenable to the will of God. We should be willing to change them. We should be willing to shuffle things around. When Paul went out, he did not have a rigid schedule for his missionary journeys. He went as the Lord led him. We see in the Book of Acts how the Lord just practically detoured him on the second missionary journey. Paul was going down into Asia; the Spirit of God sent him over to Europe. He didn’t know he was going to Europe—he didn’t have a visa for Europe—but in that day he didn’t need a visa. He went where the Holy Spirit led him.” May his tribe increase!
Warren Wiersbe writes “There are two extremes we must avoid in this important matter of seeking God’s will. One is to be so frightened at making a mistake that we make no decisions at all. The other is to make impulsive decisions and rush ahead, without taking time to wait on the Lord. After we have done all we can to determine the leading of the Lord, we must decide and act and leave the rest to the Lord. If we are in some way out of His will, He will so work that we will finally have His guidance. The important thing is that we sincerely want to do His will (John 7:17). After all, He guides us “for His name’s sake” (Ps 23:3), and it is His reputation that is at stake.”
Hope is always a good thing, especially when coupled with trust.
(DISCLAIMER: I read several sources, commentaries, devotionals, etc., when I study the bible. Some of what I write is heavily inspired by what I read, and some sections may not be all my own words. I try to distill and paraphrase but there are way too many great writers who know the depths of God’s Word more than I ever will. I try to give credit where possible, and I don’t want anyone to think that everything I write comes straight from my brain – it’s all inspired by God and others He has chosen to write through. I encourage you to look to those who have also studied and written about Scripture, while at the same time remembering they are only men, and the ONLY true standard is the Word of God – everything written by me or any other human MUST be measured against that standard.)
Dead Man Walking 
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