Philippians 3:1-11; Psalm 86:1-7

Philippians 3:1-11
"Rejoice in the Lord!" Paul, who, you will remember, is in prison, reminds the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord. Our circumstances may be difficult (as Paul's were), but remember that the God of the circumstances is always the same, and that's something to rejoice about! He calls the Philippians believers his "dear brothers and sisters" as he reminds them of the basics of the Christian faith.

In vv. 2-3 Paul warns us to watch out for false teachers who may tell us that we must do certain things in order to be saved. In Paul's day, it was the Jews who wanted to require the keeping of the Jewish laws. Paul told them that if anyone in the world kept the Jewish laws and had the Jewish credentials, it was him. He even went so far as to harshly persecute the church thinking he was doing God's work. vv. 4-6

All this became worthless garbage once he met Christ Jesus his Lord! He no longer relied on his human effort and neither should we. We "become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith." v. 9

Once we trust Jesus and "become one with Him," we have access to the "mighty power that raised him from the dead."  We "suffer with him" and "share in his death" by dying to sin in our lives. Sin no longer controls us, and we can experience victory through Him. vv 10-11

Psalm 86:1-7
This is one of David's psalms. He is calling out to God in a time of trouble. We don't have to remind God of reasons He should help us, but David does exactly that. This reminds me of all the qualities of God and also what we should be as His children.

First David asks the Lord to "bend down...and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help." The image of God "bending down" gives us a picture of God in a sort of human form though far higher and greater than we are. David readily admits that he needs God's help. v. 1  He goes on to ask God to protect him and save him. Of course, David wasn't perfect, being a sinful human just like we are, but he was honestly able to say that he was devoted to God, that he served and trusted Him. v. 2

David asked God to be merciful to him and to give him happiness. vv. 3-4 Then he went on to praise the Lord. "O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help." v. 5

This section is worth meditating on and even praying back to the Lord. It ends with these words, "Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I'm in trouble, and you will answer me." And remember--we don't have to be "in trouble" to call on the Lord. We all see needs all around us, and we must not neglect bringing these needs to the Lord.