The Angels Come

Meditations for Ragamuffins 

February 15, 2024

The Angels Come

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Philippians 1: 27a

Read: Philippians 1: 27-30

A few years ago, a photo of professional golfer Webb Simpson and his wife was posted on social media after Simpson won a golf tournament. Both Simpson and his wife are known for their Christian faith. Below the post were several comments. Some of the comments were positive, many were like “cat-calls” directed toward Simpson’s wife and a few of the comments were demeaning Simpson’s faith. Such is our world culture. In the last paragraph of Philippians 1, Paul lifts the importance of the followers of Christ maintaining their Christian integrity in the face of such hostility.

The culture in the USA is becoming increasingly hostile to the Christian movement. The followers of Jesus had a profound influence on both the initial settlements in America and the eventual founding of the US. That influence shaped the prevailing culture in the US until the post-Civil War era. Since then, the prevailing culture has been increasingly anti-Christian. Paul’s words to his friends in Philippi are certainly apt for our times as well: “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him” (Philippians 1:29).

My Takeaway: After Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness and being tempted by the devil, Matthew tells us, “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him” (Matthew 4:11). We too, when suffering for Christ, can expect God’s angels to attend to us. There are other times when our suffering is the result of illness, or perhaps our own wrongdoing. Then too, we experience the gracious comfort of God. (See 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2024 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.