No Disappointments
Philippians 1:12–30
Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20

Think of the scope of this statement in verse 20. In the first place, Paul knew that Christ would be magnified. Paul lived in an environment in which the pagan gods were worshiped and all power seemed to be on the side of pagan Rome. But he knew that Christ would ultimately be exalted and would rule in power until he had crushed all enemies beneath his feet. Second, Paul knew that God’s determination to exalt his Son also extends to those who are united to him by faith. Paul did not merely say that Christ would be magnified. He said that Christ would be magnified in him. If you are a Christian, do you know that God the Father is determined to exalt his Son in you? Third, Paul recognized that Christ would be magnified in him whether he lived or died. This means Paul was so confident that God’s will for him was perfect that he was able to accept it willingly even if it meant death.

When life is smooth, it is easy to say, “All things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28 KJV). It is easy when you have everything you want, but it is not so easy at the grave or in the face of bitter disappointment and pain. If you are to have confidence in God in such moments, you must learn to trust him in the small disappointments of life.

I know a couple who are extremely fond of children and who early in their courtship planned to have a large family. They were married, and not long afterward there came sickness and an operation that left the woman unable to bear children. I have never met a couple for whom this was a greater disappointment and consequently a greater opportunity for bitterness. But they accepted it from God as his perfect will for them and asked instead that they might act as spiritual parents for those who needed them. God blessed them in this way, and they befriended many lonely people. Many became Christians. When I last saw them God had used them to found three different Christian congregations. In a very real sense they became a father and mother to many dozens of young Christians. They testify they have not been disappointed in God.

So it will be with you. You may not see it now. You may resist God’s will and drown yourself in pity, even in legitimate sorrow. But the day is coming when you will see it as you stand before your loving heavenly Father. You will look back from a vantage point in eternity millions of years from now and will confess that God knew what he was doing in your life. You will see that Christ was certainly exalted and you will not be disappointed.

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.