This lesson is the second part of last’s weeks lesson. Here are thoughts continue to flow from the fact that “the Lord is at hand.”
(3) DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING (v. 6)
You may recall that Paul fled from Philippi because of persecution. There was concern about false teachers at Philippi. There was concern about the Philippians Christians facing difficulties. So, how could Paul tell the Philippians to be anxious for nothing? Well, it is interesting that as he is listing trials and difficulties he faced in 2 Corinthians 11, he mentions in verse 28, the anxiety he has for all the churches. Was Paul speaking out of one side of his mouth about anxiety, and then living something else? Was Paul sinning? I don’t think so.
My thought is that anxiety is neither always right nor always wrong, it depends upon what we do with it and what we allow it to do to us. In Matthew 6, Jesus counsels against worrying about food and clothing, after all, doesn’t God beautifully clothe the field, oh you of little faith? (see vv. 28-34).
God is near. God cares more about you than the field. Don’t fret because of having no faith in the love and provision of the Lord! Don’t let yourself become so anxious that it paralyzes you from serving in God’s kingdom.
(4) LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD (v. 6)
Really, this is the second part of the previous admonition, and should be seen in light of it. This is speaking of the proper handling of the things that would upset us and make us anxious. Christians give those things to God! Certainly this is one of the great blessings of prayer!
Are you anxious about politics? Are you worried about rioting? Are you concerned about a worldwide pademic? Are you anxious about your job? About your family? Those are pretty normal concerns. But where do you turn? Do you take these things to God?
Peter said in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all of your anxiety upon him, for he cares for you.” When you are anxious, you take it to the Lord in prayer. You trust Him. He has the answers. He cares about your cares. He cares about you!
THE RESULT: EXPERIENCE THE PEACE OF GOD (v. 7)
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If we do our part, God’s peace will do its part! His peace is beyond our ability to comprehend. It can do more than we can imagine.
Now, here’s what we do if we aren’t careful. We come up from bowing our head and then we say, “Well Lord, the problem is still here. What happened?”
While I don’t pretend to understand it all, I do think that His peace is far greater than what we give it credit for. We think… I just want “this” gone. I don’t want this “thorn” any more! I don’t like it! It interfers with my plans and what I want!
But God sees things differently. God sees the entire playing field. He sees from a different vantage point. He sees what is going to happen tomorrow. How sees the eternal as if it were happening right in front of Him.
God knows what He is doing. God will supply us with the peace we need, but His peace is different than what we imagine. God did not remove Paul’s thorn. He won’t remove all of ours, but He will supply what we need.
Sometimes we need to slow down. Think correctly. Think spiritually. Pray fervently. Get up and live for Him. And receive the peace that surpasses all understanding.
CONCLUSION
Because of the nearness of God, if we will truly trust in Him, we can experience a peace that this world can never know.
Daren Schroeder
