“…Be anxious for nothing…” Philippians 4:6
Dear Ones:
In Annie Marston’s great hymn, “I Thank Thee, Lord,” she writes concerning the peace of God, and the experience of that peace:
“I take Thee for my peace, O Lord, My heart to keep and fill, Thine own great calm, amid earth’s storms, Shall keep me always still, And as Thy kingdom doth increase, so shall Thine ever-deep’ning peace.” What is it that this author is seeking to convey to us? It is first of all that Christ IS our peace, not just positionally before God, but experientially, conveying to us the “…peace that passes understanding” in the ever-changing circumstances of life. Secondly, she lays out before us the means by which faith lays hold on Christ for His peace. “I take Thee for my peace, O Lord.” Here is the appropriation of Christ, as the great reality. And finally, she reveals to us the possibilities of such a stand, the taking of this position of faith. “Thine own great calm, amid earth’s storms…shall keep me always still.”
When the Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians, he did so from prison in Rome. In that situation, was there a reason to be anxious? From a human, natural standpoint, there was. Not only was there a question of deprivation, but also, concerning the future and going forward, there was the uncertainty of what lay ahead. And yet, Paul will write of a “peace that passes all understanding.” (4:7) How can it be? Simply put, it is because the Lord Jesus Christ IS the “God of peace.” And that peace is known, and experienced, by virtue of the Spirit of God having full sway in the heart and mind of the believer.
Isaiah wrote: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in Thee.” (26:3) Herein is the key to knowing the peace of God. There is the position taken of faith in Christ. There is then the mind that is “stayed” on Him. What does this mean? It means the same thing as when Paul wrote: “…but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” (Phil. 4:6) The believer who has surrendered all to Christ has a most blessed privilege and possibility to bring all to Jesus’ feet, and leave it there. It is as he or she gives Christ access to every need, that the Lord in turn, gives His peace to the believing heart.
Dear Father, teach us to fling wide the gates of our hearts with regard to every circumstance of life, surrendering to Thy will, but believing Thee to accomplish all of Your purposes in it. Strengthen us in our hearts to fix our eyes quietly upon Thee, believing Thee, not only to give us Thy peace, but to KEEP us in peace, in Thy blessed calm. We thank and praise Thee in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad