ESOCS Devotional 16 November 2025 – Seeing God in Everything
MEMORY VERSE: “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Philippians 1:14
TEXT: PHILIPIANS 1:14-25
and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,
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Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians from prison in Rome. He was arrested for causing a riot. People were angry that he was preaching the gospel. He was a Roman citizen and had a right to appeal to the emperor and Paul claimed that right and was shipped to Rome. When he stands before the emperor, he may be released or he may be killed; but at the time he writes this letter he is in prison.
When we go through difficult circumstances because we follow Jesus, it can become easy to get depressed and wonder why we are suffering; but not Paul. Paul saw everything that was happening as God’s plan to take the gospel to a place it would have otherwise never gone. He was placed with Roman guards all day; and all night, rather than telling them about how he was innocent or trying to convince them to put in a good word with someone, he was telling them about how Jesus had changed his life and could change theirs too! They were listening. Some, like the jailer from Philippi, were responding to the gospel and trusting in Jesus! And while the whole imperial guard didn’t sit down with Paul individually, he was making such big waves with those who were there. They couldn’t help but tell the story of Paul, why he was in prison and about this Jesus that he preached. I imagine some people thought he was crazy, but others listened, and many believed.
This had another side effect. Other Christians had been watching Paul and when they saw that he was being bold to share the gospel, it encouraged them to be bold as well. They weren’t afraid of what people would say anymore. They weren’t afraid of what people would do.
The gospel changes the way we look at our circumstances. Have you ever wondered why you live in the neighbourhood you live in, attend the school you do, or have the interests you do? When you look at them through the lens of the gospel, you see the reason you are where you are is to tell other people about Jesus. You may find yourself in a crumby situation like where you are sick and have to see doctors and nurses all the time, or at a school you don’t like. Think about this though, if God can use Paul being in prison to further the gospel, then he can use you where you are.
What are the circumstances that God has placed you in for the purpose of telling others about Jesus?
CHALLENGES
- How have you used unpleasant circumstances to influence the spread of the gospel?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord, help me to always be in track with thee. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Job 20:1-11; 21:22-34; Hebrews 1:1-End
ESOCS Devotional 16 November 2025
