I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:3-6
An Early Thank You Card
Daily Devotion – December 13, 2018
Devotion based on Philippians 1:3-6
See series: Devotions
Thank-yous are usually sent out after the Christmas gifts are opened. A family member takes inventory of the gifts, cash, and cards. Then, at the urging of their parents, children write out their thank-yous and put them in the mail.
In the first few verses of his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul broke from this practice. Well before he received his gift in full, he wrote his thank you note and expressed his joy. Paul was thankful for something that had not even happened yet—a gift that had yet to be given! Wouldn’t it seem strange to write a thank-you to your aunt before she had even sent you her Christmas gift?
Why could Paul be thankful for something that had not yet happened? Because Paul trusted the promises of God. He knew that the same God who had planted faith in the hearts of the Philippians could sustain that faith until Jesus returns.
You can have the same confidence. The God who planted faith in your heart is quite capable of sustaining that faith until Jesus returns. This Advent season, you have every reason to say thank you to your God—even for gifts he has yet to give!
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for your promise to preserve and protect my faith, and for the confidence I have in your coming. Amen.
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