Hope till the End

Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,

5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:4-6 

I don't know about you, but we've all got a lot of requests to bring to the Lord. Then again, perhaps you've noticed how some grown folks are in the habit of praying at all times, on all days, and in all possible sorts of the ways. Nor is there anything wrong with going back to our Lord then in prayer. He delights to hear from his children and so talking to him about whatever you wish is the best way of getting there of course. Not that there's a lot of things we'd much rather want or have need. It's just though that it's good to have a little talk with our Lord. Sometimes in life there's a lot more he can help with besides just blessings, protection, and divine supernatural intervention. Come on now, my friends, it's a very good thing that we have him then. Paul here had Timothy to come alongside, though perhaps it's not clear from the text how that there was any present help to be had from him for the danger. It seems that Paul's travels took him into captivity just for the sake of the Lord and also the churches to whom he ministered of which Philippi was one of their midst. It's also just as good to hear a recognition of feelings for those to whom it has mattered and those who've labored on our behalf, and to them which were little who then became into much. It's awful hard though for those in this sort of conditions to look back to who had been left without longing and praying for these all just as much but of course. In fact, it's as close to 'I love you' as Paul would ever get from his heart to the Lord's. Then too emotions get mixed in the bargain as there's been needed for some and yet some joy to be had in their midst. It's very much an attitude of 'I pray that all is well between you and the Lord.' Though the joy too speaks of them having lived well and to those of whom the watch-care ministered at times though in danger. Of all things fatigued, yet still there's joy to be had at the hands of the Lord. Perhaps his having left them for those of one fold and into the next has been told by some as unfair or unwilling at first. Yet in all things our God is all the more able being the captain of salvation not just of this church as a whole but also of all who'll yet come to him still in prayer. Then too it's a good thing these continued in the faith undeterred by the trials that've arisen and followed in all things therein not as them that're hopelessly lost or swallowed up of their fears. The gospel it seems is more than powerful to them that believe and we all know how that to those he is precious indeed. Nor is it just a hoped for of the soon coming Lord but rather a God who's actively working in the trials we've faced. It's a good work too despite all we can see at the moment. That's not hardly the point though in that but lies rather in knowing the one whom we'll face. I'll take that performance rather than a just for show that some have or would rather. You know, they'll come to church Sundays or whatever day the Lord's house is open. Really though, he's not of the building but rather actively involved in the hearts and lives of the people. Perhaps that's more than half the problem, isn't it, this looking for God in all the wrong sorts of places. Small wonder then he's not found to be found for this whole heart approach then you'll first go looking and him too as the shepherd would his lamb that's been taken, wandered off, or gone otherwise missing. In the bringing back then you're engaged in learning the ways of the Lord, you know the way he walks and talks and breathes even down to his sayings and doings. Having thus been invited, you'll find the good work by his side has only but begun to blessed as when put to the test not being burdened or otherwise missed. It's very much a picture of a doing God for his people that you just witnessed though perhaps not appreciated just yet at least not until you've met with the breath of the Lord. Otherwise, it'd be your day too I suppose and not merely having entered into his rest as of the building and so too as into himself being witness then of the things greater still yet to come. As them having entered have all vanished like smoke in the one single breath of the Lord. My, it's almost enough to make the lame shout and the dumb leap for joy and the dead churches rise once more in his arms so too having met up once more with the all consuming day of the Lord. Then it might not be that our troubles have lifted and sorrows have flown but rather having found answer with the uplifted hand of the Lord.