The Living Word, 23 February 2020
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). So ends many of our Sunday morning services. It would also make a fitting end to Paul's letter to the Philippian church, but this is not the end. While we place a great deal of expectation on this phrase as we venture out into the world every Sunday, it is a conditional phrase. Verse 4 goes like this: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice". The peace which comes from God doesn't depend on our circumstances or our ability to "suck it up" and be brave. Peace is not just the absence of conflict. And only true peace comes from God. The peace we know that our sins are forgiven and we will one day return to the Eternal Life that God meant us to have all along. That's peace.
Thankfully, peace from God is not dependent on my goodness or doing good deeds. I fail, as do all humans. But the right attitude is essential. The theme of this letter is joy. The apostle Paul comes to this place where he is able to encourage us that through all life's trials and woes, during persecution from our enemies, during hardship and even bereavement, we should rejoice in the Lord! Easier said than done, you say. I agree, but through faith in Christ and trust in God's fatherly providence, I have confidence that everything is going to be okay. Maybe not in this age, but certainly in the age to come.
Paul isn't asking us to do anything he isn't able to do. "...for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11b-13). This suggests that contentment is not about having an abundance of material things. It is more about being grateful for what I have been blessed with and expressing that to God by rejoicing, then the peace of God comes flooding in. Contentment in this sense is not passive, it is not just "putting up with" our lot in life. Deep contentment begins with joy and ends with rejoicing.
Words of comfort and encouragement complete the letter: "my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Philippians 4:19-20). A wonderful expression of praise and thanksgiving, acknowledging our dependence on God. Rejoice! Again I say, Rejoice!
In Christ,
Alan Wood