Philemon 1:1-25
But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you. Philemon 1:22 (NKJV)
Paul did some awesome things while in a Roman prison cell. Actually the conditions in his day resembled a dungeon more than what we call prison today. The Mamertine Prison in Rome was built over the city sewers and the lower sections (where Paul and Peter were kept) were famous for their filth and degrading conditions.
It was from this place that Paul wrote such words as "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, 'Rejoice!'" (Phil. 4:4). Paul knew that the Lord was with him in that prison cell, and that He held his future secure.
In this small book of Philemon, Paul even shows that he is making plans and preparations for the future. He tells his friends Philemon to "prepare a guest room for me" (vs. 22). That requires FAITH. Paul did not consider his present confinement to be the end. Instead, he instructed his friend to make preparations for a visit from him in the near future.
Do you find yourself in confining circumstances today? Are you being called upon to endure difficult and distressing developments? God say to you that He yet has plans for you! There is will be a day that you will walk out of this prison. It may be almost unbearable now, but the end will come soon.
The Lord tells you to begin now to prepare for that which you will do as you step into new levels of freedom. Make your reservations now for future opportunities. They are coming your way even though it may seem that this present situation has gone on too long.
If you will see your present limitations as opportunities, then God can use you even more. It was during the days and months of emprisonment that Paul penned some of the epistles that today bless us and guide us. God can use this time for eternal benefit.
Today, begin planning for the expansion that is coming your way.
No comments:
Post a Comment