DAY 279

SWEPT INTO GOD’S PLAN

Isaiah 23, 24 & 25 and Philippians 1

I am going to summarize a bit here on Isaiah so we might spend just a little time on Philippians. In Isaiah chapter 24 we shift from him going through his judgment of the nations (most recently Tyre and Sidon in chapter 23) to a cosmic judgment of the world in chapter 24 and then redemption and deliverance in 25-27. In 25 there is feasting – a rich feast for all peoples (v. 6) and he swallows up death (v.8). In chapter 26 there is singing and there is peace [would not we love that today] and God is going to deal with those who are evil (v.21). In chapter 27 there is more song – song of a vineyard (we spoke of that in the first few days of Isaiah) – a pleasant vineyard! Jacob shall take root and Israel shall blossom – in fact all who were dragged off to Assyria will return. These verses proclaim that someday the Lord will come and make it right—might this give some insight into the Sadducees and Pharisees—they are wondering when someday will come. The point of all this is that Isaiah, in the midst of his world collapsing, prophesizes that God will someday come and make it right. Isaiah will die before this all happens—you and I may die before it all happens—the point of course is that God is in control, and death is not to be feared for we are more fully swept into God’s plan.

Which brings us to the first chapter of the letter to the Philippians: it is written from jail. Some of the most powerful writings in history have been penned by leaders imprisoned for political reasons. Something about confinement, uncertainty, and (often) mistreatment these prisoners have suffered seems to have helped them focus their minds on their fundamental convictions.

But whereas many imprisoned authors take a martyr’s posture and rail against whatever system is oppressing them, Paul sounded a radically different note in his “prison epistle” to the Philippians: he focused on the Christ-centered life, the hallmark of which is joy—a remarkable theme considering that he may have been facing execution (see Phil. 1:23), most likely in Rome (see 1:13, 4:22).

Can Paul’s message have any relevance to followers of Jesus today who live in a free society without threat of imprisonment or death for practicing their religion?  I think the answer is YES! This letter shows us what ultimately matters. For those of us who are free, in the midst of affluence and opportunity, it’s easy to lose perspective, to pay more attention to peripheral things that, while attractive, really have little value, rather than substantial things that have great value.

The ultimate value is Christ. Whether elevated to heights of glory or, like Paul, reduced to prisoner status, we need to center our lives on Christ. Whatever happens we need to hold on to him.  He alone must be our ultimate source of contentment, joy and life.

The ultimate value is Christ.

This letter is a key letter to those who are starting their lives as followers of Jesus. Consider verse 6—actually memorize verse 6: “And I am sure of this, that he that began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” He who began a good work in you—who might that be? God! God will make sure what he started in you he finishes; wow! I have a lot more faith in God than in me.

Paul shares how because he is imprisoned that he can share the Gospel with his guards. Back then there were not jail cells, Roman guards were chained to people in their homes—a sort of house arrest. How would you like to be chained to Paul (sorry I digressed there for a moment). So Paul close to death writes these famous words: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” He is ready to go and be with God. If he lives, then he will keep on proclaiming Jesus as the Christ. If he dies, then he has gained heaven—either way he is swept up into God’s plan—may we be also.