Philippians 4:11–12: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

June 25th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

As Paul walked with the Lord, He learned to be content, or literally “satisfied,” no matter what his circumstances were. Paul was going through a thin time in his ministry; he was in need of food, clothing, and blankets. But even in such dire straits, he chose to be satisfied. His sense of contentment remained independent of material things. He didn’t look to anyone or anything outside of God.

Years ago, there was a movie that needed a single line in Swahili. This was before movie companies were careful with their translations and would just find someone to write a line for them. They thought they had lucked out when they found an Englishman, who had grown up in a missionary family in Africa and spoke Swahili, to provide them with a line of dialogue. The scene was of an exhausted African messenger that had just run for days with urgent news for the big chief. The movie didn’t have any problems until it showed in Nairobi, where everyone speaks Swahili. The crowd erupted in laughter when the messenger collapsed at the chief’s feet and gasped out his message: “I do not think I am getting paid enough money for this part.” This is both funny and instructive, since that is often how life feels.

None of us gets to choose what family, time in history, or part of the earth we are born into. Many have suggested that life is like a card game where we do not control the cards we receive. Although we may feel that we have not had a good hand dealt to us, life is really about allowing God to control our circumstances and choosing to walk with Him daily. Work with the cards you have been dealt, in the very best way you can, and then watch what God does with your life.

“LORD, we ask You to help us maintain a good attitude, and we trust You to take us through the victories and struggles of this day.”