SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honour to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. [Philippians 1:20-24]
I am struck by Paul’s joy and confident, despite the fact that he is in prison, that some people are preaching Christ out of false, selfish motives, and that he might die for his faith.
His confidence is that no matter what happens, it will be for the best.
Personally, he longs to be free from the battle of this life, but he knows that it will probably be better – for the sake of the many new believers dependent on him – for him to remain alive.
Do I have this confidence, that whether I live or die, Christ is honoured?

But now I am going away to the One who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate (Holy Spirit)won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. [John 16:5-7]
Of course the disciples are sad, Jesus is about to leave them, and it will be a brutal death.
And yet, like Paul, Jesus sees that whatever happens will be for the best.
Not the best for Jesus, nor the best for Paul, but the best for those concerned.
Better for you, best for you!
How does a person get to this place, where they are less concerned about their own comfort and well-being, and more concerned about what is best for others.
Am I willing to suffer, if it will be for the best for others?
Am I willing to die, if it will be to the benefit of others?

Paul’s words remind me of the comfort of Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 1,

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong— body and soul, in life and in death— to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.
He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.
He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven: in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.
Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

Do I have this comfort?
Am I confident that everything that happens to me, around me, is a part of God’s good and perfect plan?

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You that You did send the Holy Spirit , because I need the Spirit to help me grow in this kind of comfort and confidence.