“He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it until the final day. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart” (Philippians 1:6-7).
You can see the love Paul has for the Philippians here. And because of this great love, he is hurting with them because of difficult circumstances they are going through.
A couple of years ago some dear friends of ours both lost their jobs and had to move into a small apartment with their children.
Of course, I hurt for them and like a father with a child, I wanted something better for them. But what do you do when you’re hurting for others? In this situation, my prayer for those friends went something like this: “Lord, why? What’s wrong? Lord, can’t you help them? Give them each a job.” I admit I was very troubled over their situation.
Contrast that with Paul’s prayer: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy” (Philippians 1:3-4).
There was no anxiety, fear, stress, or lack of confidence. Paul was very thankful and prayed with great joy! Where does that come from? Let’s look at what Paul tells us in verse 6 one more time.
“And I am sure of this.” Sure of what?
“That he who began a good work . . .” Paul is saying the reason he can be sure and the reason he can have joy is HE . . . Jesus! He gives boldness and confidence.
The confidence comes to believers in Christ Jesus when they can say this phrase: “I am sure of this, that HE. . .”
The emphasis is on HE. It’s HE who has done this. It’s not the doctor. It’s not the financial wizard. It is Jesus who began that good work in you and he will be faithful to complete it!