Lent Devotional in Philippians 

22nd March 

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!"
Philippians 4:1

Standing can be an underrated ability these days. As in, ‘Don’t just stand there … do something!’ But the ability to stand is vital for Christian believers. Paul, in his letters, frequently called believers to stand firm and he does so twice in Philippians. First in 1:27 and again in today’s verse.

When Paul heard that the Philippians were standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, he knew that a miracle of God’s grace was at work in them, because standing isn’t as easy as it sounds. Standing means withstanding.

On the wall of my study is a large framed photograph of the base of a lighthouse somewhere off the Brittany coast of north-western France. Huge Atlantic breakers are crashing in upon it, millions of tonnes of ferocious water pound it in wave after wave, and the lighthouse just stands there because it’s built on a rock.The way to withstand the colossal forces that come against us in life is to stand firm in Christ. Paul’s whole reason for writing was so that his readers - then and now - would know how to stand firm in the Lord in this way. 

Thank you, Lord, that we are your beloved people, and that by your Word you show us how to stand firm in you. Please help not to rely on our own strength but to hold fast to the Word of life, by the power of your Spirit, in Jesus Name, Amen.

	Written by Craig Dyer, Training Director After pastoring for 20 years, Craig joined our team to train church leaders how to use our resources and encourage evangelism in the local church. Craig's role takes him all over the globe and he lives with his family near the airport in Glasgow. FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR TEAM