Reclaiming the Truth
“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…And the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4.6-7, 9.
Redeeming the Time
Our God is the God of peace. Scripture says our God has a monopoly on three things. He is the God of all grace, the God of all comfort and He is the God of peace. And Paul reminds us again of the central promise of the Bible, “the God of all peace will be with you.”
Is it possible not to be anxious? Forget counter initiative, this seems impossible. Yet a closer examination of the text helps us see that anxiousness will come, and yet in God’s great love for us, He gives us direction on how to deal with it.
God does not condemn us for getting anxious. He doesn’t kick us off the team because we get anxious. He doesn’t even say we are unspiritual because we get anxious, rather He teaches us how to deal with all of life, not just things that make us anxious. “In every situation….” Not just in the things that make us anxious, or the things that make us worry, or make us weary, or make us lonely, or make us empty, or make us wonder, or make us wander, but in every situation, “by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.”
We have a loving Father who wants to hear the cries of our hearts. He wants us to come to Him with every situation, never wanting us to deal with life alone. He invites us to bring all of our heaviness and our hope to Him, and notice what He says, “His peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The action of bringing our whole hearts to God actually protects and shields our hearts and minds. As we bring our hearts to God, His Presence brings us peace.
Notice what this passage doesn’t say. It doesn’t say all of the things that make us anxious will be banished. It doesn’t say we won’t worry again or fear again. It says the God of peace will be with us – He will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. He will do it. We can trust Him. He will do it. He is our God of peace and He is with us.
Reflection
- When have you most recently experienced the God of peace?
- What in the last week has caused you to be anxious? How did you entrust this situation to God through prayer?
- In your own words, describe God’s peace. With whom could you share His peace today.
Resting in His Redemption
Jesus is preparing His disciples for the cross, for His resurrection, and ultimately for His ascension. He reminds them of His peace. Rest and receive – take heart – today.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16.33
