DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
OCTOBER 7, 2026
READ: Philippians 3 (Focus vs. 17-21)
MEMORY VERSE
“Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20
BACKGROUND
When I was young, I loved going to Chick-fil-A, a US-based fast-food restaurant, for waffle fries and sweet tea. When, as an adult, I moved to another state, I was shocked to discover there weren’t any locations for hundreds of miles!
On family road trips, we’d even plan our routes to allow for stops at Chick-fil-A, all the while hoping someday one would open closer to home.
Longing.
We all experience it. Sometimes we don’t actually need what we long for, such as a favorite restaurant. Other times, our longings reflect deeper, more desperate yearnings.
Writing to the Philippian believers, Paul reminded them to live their lives in light of their deepest longing—Christ’s return and the full coming of His kingdom (Philippians 3:20). Jesus’ coming would make everything whole and transform believers to be like Him (v. 21).
Rather than merely longing for what can’t bring lasting satisfaction, Paul says it’s this coming reality that believers “eagerly await” (v. 20)—the day when there will be no more suffering, when we’ll see Jesus face-to-face.
Knowing our longings will one day be satisfied gives us the hope we need to live for Christ each day (vv. 12-14).
A Chick-fil-A recently opened a few miles from my house, a small reminder that a much more important longing will one day be fulfilled. Until then, we wait.
Lisa M. Samra
INSIGHT
When Paul wrote Philippians, he was writing from prison (1:13). While there, he also wrote Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon, which are referred to as the Prison Epistles. How did the apostle endure such difficult times?
In part, by focusing beyond that moment to when he’d see his Savior and in part by focusing on others.
While imprisoned, his heart was breaking for those who were living in opposition to the gospel: “As I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18).
His tears demonstrated his concern for others. Our hope in Jesus and concern for others can lift us beyond our present circumstances to lives of hope and purpose as we wait for our longings to be fulfilled when Christ returns (vv. 14, 21).
Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
What do you long to see Jesus make right? What do you most anticipate about your future with Jesus?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Knowing our longings – when there will be no more suffering, when we’ll see Jesus face-to-face – will one day be satisfied gives us the hope we need to live for Christ each day.”
PR’s TAKE
“The hope of Christs’ return is a force that shapes the present.” Lesslie Newbigin – Adapted
“Waiting with our whole heart for the Lord is worth the wait.” Charles Spurgeon
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, please fill us with hope as we wait for Your return.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“HEAD OF THY CHURCH TRUIMPHANT”
Head of Thy Church triumphant,
We joyfully adore Thee;
Till Thou appear, Thy members here
Shall sing like those in glory:
We lift our hearts and voices
With blest anticipation,
And cry aloud, and give to God
The praise of our salvation.
While in affliction’s furnace,
And passing through the fire,
Thy love we praise Which knows our days,
And ever brings us nigher:
We lift our hands exulting
In Thine almighty favor;
The love Divine Which made us Thine,
Shall keep us Thine for ever.
Thou dost conduct Thy people
Through torrents of temptation;
Nor will we fear, While Thou art near,
The fire of tribulation:
The world, with sin and Satan,
In vain our march opposes;
Through Thee we shall Break through them all,
And sing the song of Moses.
By faith we see the glory
To which Thou shalt restore us,
The cross despise For that high prize
Which Thou hast set before us;
And if Thou count us worthy,
We each, as dying Stephen,
Shall see Thee stand At God’s right hand
To take us up to heaven.
