“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
“For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so 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 1:3-11).
The apostle Paul was writing to the Philippian church from a Roman prison. More than any other church, these believers had supported him in his ministry and they were very dear to him. Paul expressed his affection for them and his appreciation for their partnership. Also, he wanted to encourage them to keep their eyes on Jesus and trust God to complete the work he had begun in them.
Paul is a perfect example of one who goes through great suffering and keeps his faith in the power of God. Further down we read, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (4:13). Paul was sure of his own relationship with Jesus and knew that God would sustain him in his hours of greatest weakness.
Likewise, we have assurance that God sustains us when life seems unsustainable. That in our hours of greatest weakness we have a strength that is unmovable. We have a sincere hope—God is with us in our need.
When you walk through trials, be confident that God will sustain you. Furthermore, that he will complete in you one day the work begun in you. Keep your eyes on him.