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THE GRACE OF ADVERSITY
THURSDAY, APRIL 6
Philippians 1:7

Acts 16:35-40

 

“…ye are all partakers

of my grace.”

 

THE GRACE OF ADVERSITY
 
Can adversity ever be considered a grace? Paul experienced his share of adversity in his time at Philippi. Shortly after he witnessed to the first group of converts, Paul and his companion Silas were hauled before the magistrates, beaten and imprisoned. All that happened because they were faithfully serving the Lord and telling others about Christ (Acts 16:16- 24). While they were in prison, God sent an earthquake, and through that Paul had a chance to share the Gospel with the jailer (Acts 16:25- 34). After they were finally released, Paul spent time with the brethren at Philippi, where they would have tended to his wounds and encouraged him in the Lord (Acts 16:40).
 
Since then, the Philippian church continued to support Paul, especially through the many trials that he had experienced. He encountered much opposition as he journeyed from city to city in the defence and confirmation (establishment) of the Gospel. He faced shipwreck, beatings, multiple incarcerations, all for the cause of Christ.
 
Through all that, Paul remembered the Philippian Christians as “partakers of my grace” (Phil 1:7). Yes, Paul saw the adversity that he experienced as a grace from God! He saw it as a privilege to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ. The fact that the saints at Philippi stood together with him during all those difficult times made Paul so thankful for them. He praised God for their fellowship in the Gospel (Phil 1:5) and shared, “I have you in my heart” (Phil 1:7). Such was the strength of their relationship, that even though they were not physically present with him, yet they supported him spiritually and materially, and therefore had a share in the grace of Paul’s adversity.
 
When trials and difficulties arise, do the leaders of our church have the assurance that you are in it together with them? Whether it is in the trials that they face, the pains and labours of their ministry, are they able to say that they have us in their heart, and that we are all partakers of grace together with them? A church that practises such love will be able to stand together with one another through thick and thin.
 
THOUGHT: Are all adversities I face a gift of God?

PRAYER: May I have the wisdom to understand the grace of adversity

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