SCRIPTURE: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
OBSERVATION: Paul wrote this letter while he was confined in prison in Rome, yet he rejoiced and encouraged the Phillipians to experience God’s deep inner joy as well.
Paul had learned that whether he had plenty of money or was low on funds, whether he was free or under house arrest, whether he was full or had a hungry stomach, he was still able to rejoice because the God of all peace was with Him.
Because the Lord was near, Paul knew it was a waste of time to worry about anything. Once he had discovered that he was able to tap into God’s supernatural power through prayer, he was able to personally experience the peace of God that surpasses all human understanding!
APPLICATION: Another important key Paul taught at being at peace with God is to put a guard around our hearts. When we are allowing our hearts and minds to focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and morally excellent and praiseworthy, God’s peace fills us. The Lord is near! And… we are able to rejoice knowing that nothing happens to us that hasn’t already been filtered by God’s hands! He loves us! So…even when the trials come, and the storms of life seem to overwhelm us, He is the One we can run to and be safe!
We’ve discovered that rejoicing isn’t just to happen when things are going our way! Paul’s example demonstrates that the more he was willing to surrender his life over to God, the greater he was able to experience God’s grace, which was what caused him to be able to rejoice!
Even through the intense anxiety that Paul faced, he was able to stand firm in his faith because he sought God’s supernatural help through prayer, allowing God to give him MORE peace!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, How grateful I am to be able to experience Your sustaining grace in my life! It’s because of Your grace that I am able to do all things through You Who strengthens me. Thank You for helping me to know that the Scripture above which so many people have quoted doesn’t mean that we can do ALL things. It means that we can do all things that You have destined us to do through Your supernatural strength! And, being content at all times and able to rejoice in every situation takes Your supernatural strength, which is generously available to ALL who call out to You.
I pray that I will depend on You to help me guard my heart and mind, and to stay focused on You so that when unforeseen troubles come my way, and are beyond my control that I will still be able to rejoice knowing that You are near.
- Robin Orefice
