He says it very clearly. I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. The peace of God and working with God produced contentment and internal peace.
And so God was there. If you walk with God, God has to be there, and He is. He is there all the time.
And he learned that with God by his side, even in the worst situation, he could be joyous. You wonder why James said that we can have joy in our trials. It is for this reason. Because God is there. He is working with us. He is helping us.
And so if God is in charge, the great Sovereign of the universe, let us sing a hymn. I mean, that is what he did in jail, right, in Philippi? He and Silas. "Hey, get up there and lead songs. We want to sing a hymn." They had joy in the midst of a very frightening circumstance. He and Silas could have been killed. But no, they made the best of it and sang. He could do this because Christ was there to strengthen him. And that is what he says here. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." He can endure any kind of problem, any kind of terrible thing, because Christ's strength is stronger than anything that man has to put up against him and he can be content.
Now flip over to Philippians 4, verse 10. Paul had many reasons to get discouraged. His letters and the book of Acts record many of his unpleasant predicaments, yet he did not let adverse circumstances depress him. After five shipwrecks, he did not let it get to him. I am still bewildered at that one.
We receive some encouragement through the example of perseverance set by the apostles during their lives. But most of our comfort comes through Jesus Christ, our trustworthy Source of encouragement.
Please turn over to II Corinthians 1, verse 5. Because we share in Christ's sufferings, we also share in the comfort God provides that helps us endure such suffering.
