Dear CD reader:

Please indulge me as I “cheat” a bit and begin this Connect Devotional with Paul’s prayer to the Philippians, which precedes this week’s scripture passage. (Thanks, and I owe you one!)

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9–11).

We’ve already noted in past devotionals that Paul, writing to the Philippians from prison in Rome, is decidedly mushier than he is in some of his other epistles. Seriously, doesn’t “I have you in my heart!” (1:7) just cry out for an emoji?!

In this week’s passage, Philippians 1:12–21, the apostle explains how, even while he is bound in chains, the Lord is at work turning lemons into lemonade! But first, he stops and prays for the Philippians: asking God to turn their LOVE into knowledge and insight, and to fill them with the fruit of righteousness! 

And one fruit, in particular, that recurs throughout this epistle, is JOY. 

On the heels of his prayer, Paul reports on the sweet lemonade that God has squeezed from the bitter lemons of Paul’s imprisonment. 

Here are the headlines: 

1. God sheds grace on the message of Christ!

“Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” (Philippians 1:12).

Paul’s captors come to realize that he is not a criminal rightly incarcerated, but a Christian wrongly imprisoned—turning captivity into opportunity.

2. Local believers become bold witnesses!

“And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear” (v. 14).

As word of Paul’s testimony circulates, Christians in the community preach the good news with courage and conviction—turning timidity into triumph.

3. Paul to Philippians: I know my release is coming! 

“Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance” (v. 18, 19). 

Paul’s outlook is buoyed by the prayers of his partners in Philippi and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit—turning sorrow into rejoicing.

What a God! 

What an apostle! 

What a church!

God’s POWER, Paul’s FAITH, and the LOVE of the Philippians turn many hearts to boldly proclaim or gratefully receive Jesus the Messiah. And Paul is confident that this will result in his emancipation, filling many—from Rome to Philippi—with JOY. 

But we shouldn’t be surprised. 

For if God can create the universe from nothing, he can turn

—captivity into opportunity,

—timidity into triumph,  

—sorrow into rejoicing,

—and bitter lemons into sweet, abiding JOY.

Lord, may the fruit of righteousness become our calling card, particularly during this season of Lent. May our lives and our testimonies draw family, friends, and neighbors closer to your saving grace. And may the deep and abiding joy of your salvation sustain us in this and every season.