Prayer:
"Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:14).
You are our armor and our shield Lord. Continue to protect us from the snares and pitfalls of this life. Rescue us when we fail to heed your warning signs and bring us back into complete submission to you. We love you Lord but we are weak and wander from your protective care. Forgive us for our shortcomings and bring us back in fellowship with you and the security of your love, grace and mercy. Amen.
Main Scripture:
Because I know this will lead to my deliverance through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For me, living is Christ and dying is gain (Philippians 1:19-21, HCSB).
Associated Scriptures:
I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand (John 1:28-29, NASB).
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1, NASB).
That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. (2Timothy 1:12)
Correlative Quotes:
My problem is not so much a lack of protection from God. My more significant problem is that I'm sleeping with the enemy, justifying and enjoying my sin when all along he offers me protection from its damning power.[1] – Nancy Guthrie
Paul’s concern was not what would happen to him but what testimony would be left for his Lord. Release would allow him to continue preaching Christ. But martyrdom would also advance the cause of Christ.[2]
Paul's whole purpose in life was to speak out boldly for Christ and to become more like him. Those who wished to "stir up trouble" for Paul might have thought that his anticipation of death would bring shame and fear. Instead, Paul knew that both his living and dying were the decision of God's sovereign will.[3]
Study:
INTRODUCTION
God’s most wonderful gift to all those who believe and trust in Him is the joy of security. The assurance that no matter what happens here on earth we will be with Him someday in paradise. This assurance is the joy of our salvation and it brings with it security for the believer.
There are two aspects of protection or being kept (Jude 1:1) by God as a result of our relationship, through the blood of Jesus.
The concept of God’s protection and our suffering seems to be oxymoronic. On one hand, we see all of these verses that talk about God’s protection in this life and interpret them as saying that we will be protected from all types of harm; physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial to name a few. On the other hand, we see not only ourselves and others like us suffering, but we see examples of continued suffering in the Bible.
However, the interpretation of 2 Thessalonians 3:3 is incorrect. God is not saying that he will protect us for all suffering. He promises instead to give us the strength to survive it or in the case of death He gives us a better alternative.
Paul’s initial supposition in Philippians 1:10, 21 is that either through life or in death I am secure in Jesus. He feels strongly that he will be released because of the Philippian prayers and the power of God’s Spirit. It was hope that protected him in the time of difficult circumstances.
Because of this hope, Paul had a positive attitude about his circumstances. Paul believed that if he continued to speak boldly for the cause of Christ that he would either be delivered from his current condition of imprisonment or that he will die as a result. Either way Christ will get the glory and benefit. He had high expectations that his life would count in an important way. His high expectorations, encouraged by a positive attitude, and fueled by hope gave him the strength he needed to survive his ordeal.
Paul not only had an initial supposition of immortality based on his life in Christ, he also had faith that God would provide deliverance. Paul was sure of his deliverance either by death that would mean eternal life with his beloved Christ or by freedom through the Roman court system. Paul says in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Paul’s initial supposition of eternal life in Jesus was based on hope. His confidence in deliverance was provided by his faith in Christ. Paul had the faith that if God wanted him to live and remain in his role as evangelist and church planter, that He would find a way for Paul to be released.
Summary Statement:
We can experience joy when we realize that we are secure in Jesus. When we give ourselves completely to God and determine his ministry for our lives He keeps us secure. Joy in security is substantiated by being secure in faith, secure in hope, secure in His love, and finally secure in Jesus.
Lesson within the Lesson:
Does God keep us from all suffering if we are His spiritual children?
What does God provide for us as suffering servants?
How does Paul cope with the discouragement of being imprisoned?
What part do the Philippians play in encouraging Paul?
[1] Nancy Guthrie, Can I really expect God to protect me?, copyright October 10, 2005, Christianity Today, christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/october/26.56.html
[2] Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries; Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries. All rights reserved.
[3] The Life Application Commentary Series Copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 by the Livingstone Corporation. Produced with permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
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