by Zach Roll

Prepared for everything.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link

“for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”
Philippians 4:11-12 English Standard Version

Typical of Colorado, and even most places across the United States, this picture represents how quickly the weather can change, especially this time of year. As I write this devotion there is pretty heavy snow falling outside my window, and just yesterday it was sunny and warm.

In the world in which we live, our lives can change just as quickly as the weather. In extreme cases, such as someone winning the lottery, one can go from having nothing to having everything, at least as far as money is concerned. A college athlete turns professional and signs a large contract worth millions.

Sometimes people are not ready for this abundance and they squander it or lose it. Sometimes it gets taken from them.

On the other hand, it is not unusual for someone who has been rich, safe, and secure for most of their lives to lose everything in an instant because of an unexpected layoff from work, an illness, or through national upheaval, things like economic recessions or wars that prove costly. Look at what happens to Job in the Old Testament, a man who has everything and literally loses it overnight; money, family, physical health, you name it.

Maybe the change in our lives isn’t quite so dramatic, but we feel those changes just the same. How do we get through these times? What is Paul’s secret to being content in all circumstances?

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13 King James Version

This is one of the most quoted verses from Scripture. Paul encourages us that when life is great we trust in God and give Him thanks for His good gifts! When we face trials, our hope is not in this world, it is in Christ, and we thank God because our hope is in Him. Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO