SCRIPTURE:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9
OBSERVATION:
Do you need peace? In the chaos of life, with bills stacking up and the world going crazy, in the busyness of the holidays, in the lines and the traffic, in the planning and the scheduling, in the to-do lists and tasks…could you use a little more peace? I sure could! And thankfully, it is there for the taking! You might be thinking, “I could have more peace today? Right now?” The answer is a resounding “Yes”! In fact, Paul, in Philippians 4, maps out 3 things we can do today to guarantee His peace in us.
As Paul wraps up this letter to the church at Philippi, he leaves them with these directives, keys, that will help them discover His peace.
Key 1: Present your requests to God- Paul exhorts them to choose not to be anxious about whatever situations they face; rather, in every situation, to pray with thanksgiving. When faced with challenges, this isn’t my first reaction, and Paul knew it wasn’t their’s either, but when we choose to present our needs to God with thanksgiving, not with complaining or doubting, it unlocks His promises to send His peace and to guard our heart and mind.
Key 2 and Key 3: Think on the good and do good- His second exhortation is to choose not to think on the negative, the overwhelming, and the challenging; rather, to think on the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. His third exhortation is to then do good, to live out what they have learned and heard, and to walk in obedience and faith. And herein lies the greatest promise: when we choose to think on that which is good and then live out what is good God, the God of peace, promises to be with us! Not only does He send His peace, He chooses to send His Presence, and when God is with us, and when God is for us, who can be against us! When God is with us no challenge is too great, no issue is too overwhelming, no drama is unbearable, and no situation is impossible because of Him!
APPLICATION:
Need a little more peace? Today, I am grateful that no matter what I am feeling or facing I can find peace through these 3 keys. Today, I will choose to pray about every situation and ask Him to intercede and move. Today, I will choose to think on what is good and practice gratitude and a posture of praise. Today, I will choose to live out the life He asks of me, in obedience and faith, and in that, today I will rejoice in His peace that passes all understanding and in His Presence that transforms everything! No problem is too hard, no challenge is too big, and no situation is too impossible when He is with me.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for Your peace and Presence! Thank You for making a way for me to live in these promises. Please help me to walk out these 3 keys that I might find Your peace and honor You. In Your name, Amen!
