December 18

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. — Phil 3:9 BSB

The Apostle knew a day was coming when God would search Jerusalem with candles, revealing the secrets of every heart. He knew that a time was approaching when the eyes of the Lord would test and weigh every word and action, and those not found in Christ would be cast into eternal judgment. He also knew from his own experience that when the Judge takes His seat on the great white throne, no one will be able to stand before His gaze of infinite justice and purity unless they have a vital union with the Son of God.

Looking forward to that solemn day, the Apostle’s deepest desire was to be "found in Him." When the Lord returns to judge the earth, and His eyes scan the multitude, he wanted to be found in Christ—the only refuge from the storm, the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, the only Savior from the coming wrath that will one day fall upon the world.