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Paul’s letter to the Philippians is rich with wisdom and direction for our time. We learn so much in its few pages about the purpose of Christian suffering. We see God’s hand pulling all the levers and strings behind the scenes, sovereignly directing all that befalls His people. And we see the glorious results as the gospel is more widely preached. Paul writes the epistle from prison in Rome, while he waits to see if he will be executed or set free. We see in the letter many of the real-life difficulties that believers face in the battles for humility, righteousness and obedience. The great Apostle warns us of many of the pitfalls and traps which the world presents to those who would follow Jesus Christ. We see the familiar struggles that we all face as strangers in a fallen world. We see what it takes to make the right efforts to be authentic and real with God. We see the truth about what we must let go of in order to more fully grab onto Jesus Christ. And we see the great need, both in Paul’s days and in our own time, for bold, selfless Christian leadership among us. The over-arching theme of Paul’s letter to the Philippians is the joy that sustains God’s people through all of their appointed trials. Thank God for this short but powerful book which encourages, directs and sustains us.