Devotional on Philippians 2:5-11

by Tim Williamson

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As we face the effects of a pandemic (and the social and economic consequences that it brings), it is certainly easy to become discouraged. The normal rhythms of life have been upended in both small and big ways. Activities many of us take for granted, like going to school or work, shopping for groceries, or gathering together as God’s people have either become significantly more complicated or prohibited altogether. The effects of these disruptions range from minor annoyances to serious threats to our health and safety. In a very real sense, there is a substantial degree of suffering that we are enduring on a global scale.