Theme Week – Thanks: Philippians 4
Old Testament: Ezekiel 45 & 46
Poetry: Psalm 111
Some laws we have make very little sense.
In Los Angeles, you can’t use silly string on Halloween.
In the UK, you can’t “handle salmon in a suspicious manner.”
In Barbados, you can’t wear camouflage. (Sorry, hunting fans!)
However, once you know the context, these laws begin to make sense.
In LA, it cost the city nearly $200,000 to clean up the silly string every year from just Halloween.
In the UK, they were trying to stop illegal salmon fishing, and it’s a crime to take fish that you suspect to have been illegally fished.
In Barbados, the government has decided that the Defense Force are the only people who can wear camouflage (like a uniform) and wearing camo might be seen as an attempt to impersonate an officer.
In Philippians 4, Paul gives a couple commands that, on the surface, seems to make very little sense.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (4:4)
And
“Do not be anxious about anything.” (4:6)
It’s almost like Paul doesn’t know what it is like to be human! We can’t control our emotions. I don’t choose when to be happy, or when to be anxious. Nor does anyone else, though we try ; over 12% of the US population over age twelve take antidepressants and 6% of the population is on anti-anxiety medication. What a strange command that makes very little sense.
Until we add context.
To “rejoice” is not “feel happy” but “find joy in”. Joy is not the ephemeral, fleeting happiness that comes and goes based on what happens to us moment by moment, but the unshakeable reality that God’s desire for us is to be blessed by him forever. Will we have pain, heartache, grief and mourning in this world? Yes, because it is fallen. However, we don’t rejoice because of those things, but in the midst of those things, we are commanded and encouraged to find our joy in God. God’s grace, his gifts, and his promises will always outweigh our pain in the grand scheme of the universe. One day, all will be made new, and the old things will pass away and only the new and eternal will remain.
Similarly, God does not expect us to overcome our worries and cares for the future through sheer willpower ; instead he says “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” The command is more than not being anxious, but about being in relationship with the one who overcomes our anxiety, and who overcomes our depression.
I hope this week, as you have been spending 5, 10, or 15 minutes thanking God for the good things in your life, that you begin to recognize that God appreciates your thanksgiving, but also cares about your prayers and supplications. He hears it all and he is always working for your sanctification, your salvation, and your life to be abundant. He is working to bring joy in your life, joy found in what Christ has and will do in you, and to meet your needs so you will not need to be anxious.
APPlication & Reflection
Today, instead of having questions to answer, take the time to
Pray to God.
Give him thanks.
Let him know all that is on your heart that makes joy seem so far away, and all that is on your mind that makes anxiety close at hand.
As you do, may “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, … guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:7)
-Jake Ballard
Seek Grow Love 