Paul's Confidence in the Lord (Philemon 21-22)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 11-30-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Paul’s confidence in the Lord

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Philemon 21-22

 

            Message of the verse:  “21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. 22 At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you.”  (NAS95)  “I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more!  Please keep a guest room ready for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.”  (NLT)

            Paul speaks of the confidence that he has in Philemon to do the right thing concerning Onesimus.  He not only believes that he will do what is right but even do more that Paul has asks of him.  This could mean that Paul would not hold any grudges against Onesimus or that he would allow Onesimus to work with him in the ministry of the Church, or maybe to forgive someone else who he needs to forgive who has wronged him.

As I read verse twenty-two it occurs to me that there must have been many people who were praying for Paul while he was in prison, and I am sure that Philemon was one of them because of what Paul says in this verse.  Paul had confidence in the Lord that He would allow Paul to be acquitted of the charges and be able to continue with his ministry.   Philemon knew that Paul would then come and see him then this may also influence him to do the correct thing concerning Onesimus.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Verse twenty-one reminds me of a verse in the book of Ephesians where it is said of God that He will do exceedingly, abundantly more that we can ever ask of think of.  Paul had confidence in Philemon that he would do more than he would ask him to do and this speaks to my heart that I too should do more than is ask of me for the cause of Christ, just as the Lord does more than I as Him to do for He knows what I truly need to cause me to continue to become more like Jesus Christ.

 

The Word of God was convicting and uplifting to me today, as well as instructive.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to trust the Lord to help get me through the stress, (for me), of going to the wedding this morning and then to the resection that follows.

 

Memory verse for the week:  Ephesians 2:10

 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.