Verse by Verse Devotional on Philippians by Pastor Jack #128

Sorrow Upon Sorrow

2:27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.

If Paul’s dear friend Epaphroditus had not recovered from his serious illness it would have been another sorrow added to Paul’s present sorrow. Does this sound strange in a letter about joy? We don’t know for sure what Paul’s present sorrow means here, but it is likely connected with his chains and with the other sufferings for the sake of Christ he has already mentioned (e.g. 1:29-30, Cf. 2Cor.11:23-33).

Though Paul is writing this letter to a church that is undergoing persecution in order to encourage them to maintain joy, he is not ashamed to say that he has sorrow. Real Christian joy is not incompatible with sorrow. In fact, sorrow is an inescapable part of our earthly existence. But God can give joy in the midst of sorrow. Too often we are looking for a superficial joy that means relief from troubles. But this is not the joy Paul is referring to in his epistle to the Philippians. Paul’s joy is a joy that is anchored in the rock so that it survives the storms of sorrow. In fact, Paul’s joy is fed by sorrow, since even sorrows are sent by God for our good. That’s why James says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials” (1:2). Thus Paul counts it a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ (1:29).

When we receive sorrow upon sorrow, let us not forget that "of His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." (John 1:16)

Dear Father, I thank You that the One who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world. I thank You that Your joy is stronger than the weight of all the trials You have called me to endure. I thank You that all the trials You send into my life are redemptive. I thank You that You will not send me any trials beyond my ability in Jesus Christ to endure. And I thank You for how gentle you have been with me. I thank You that in Your mercy You have not overwhelmed me with sorrows. But, Lord, when sorrow is added to sorrow, let me still remember Your mercy and Your comfort. Help me not to forget in the darkness what You have shown me in the light.