The theme of the book of Philippians is the Joy of the Lord. In each chapter there is a thief that will steal your joy. Also, in each chapter is an antidote to defeat these thieves and restore the joy of the Lord.
In the first chapter, the joy thief is “circumstances”. The antidote is to keep Jesus Christ foremost in our mind because “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. In the second chapter, the joy thief is “people”. The antidote is humility to serve others from a heart of love. The joy thief in the third chapter is “things”. The solution is to treasure treasures in heaven instead of treasures on earth. The ultimate blessing is to seek the Blessor instead of the blessings. The thief that steals joy in the fourth chapter is “worry”. The world will indoctrinate our minds through panic, pandemic and pandemonium to succumb to the cares and worries of this world. These anxious thoughts will steal our joy. The antidote to worry is prayer with supplication and thanksgiving to keep our hearts and minds focused on the truth of His holy Word.
The fourth and final chapter of Philippians begins with encouragement to stand steadfast in the Lord, in harmony with believers whose names are in the Book of Life. The love of God is the basis for unity within the body of Christ. The devil’s ploy is to divide and conquer, to set our hearts against each other. However, to reconcile with others, we must meet each other at the foot of the cross. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
In Philippians 4:4, the first key to praying and focusing our minds on the Word of God is the central theme of Philippians: “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” This is a command. It doesn’t say rejoice when we feel like it or “when the Spirit moves us.” Rejoicing in the Lord is a deliberate, intentional, and purposeful act of the will in obedience to God’s command. When we rejoice in the Lord, we’re obeying the first of the Ten Commandments: thou shalt have no other gods before me (Nothing between your face and my face.) As the song says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth shall grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”
The second key to prayer is “Let your moderation (the spirit of gentleness and loving kindness) be known unto all men, the Lord is at hand.” The book of Timothy encourages us to love others and minister with a forgiving, compassionate, and merciful heart. To minister means to attend and serve; to perform service in any office, sacred or secular; “run to serve” the flock of God with a pure heart fervently.Therefore, to defeat the worries of this world, pray with a submissive heart of gratitude. Philippians 4:6-7 says: “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Prayer is the antidote to worry and anxiety. Through prayer, the peace of God that surpasses worldly understanding will guard our hearts. God’s Peace is available only through Christ, the Prince of Peace, for Jesus said, “My peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Peace with God is the result of reconciliation ... reconnection and atonement (at-one-meant) through Jesus Christ’s payment for our sin. For He who was without sin was made the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him. Because we have been reconciled with God we have peace with God and with our brothers and sisters in the family of God. Our fellowship is in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
Let continue Michael's message on the their of joy - worry - in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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