Dear Ones:
There are “sign posts” in Scripture, but then there are “salient features.” These salient features are those most significant and strategic points on a battle field, which are essential to the success of the campaign. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he states what these features are, and then summarizes them in the simplest manner in his letter to the Thessalonians. For every believer and disciple for whom these words were destined, there is no substitute for their implementation in the life. Indeed, if there is to be an experience of the victorious life, then there must be the adherence to these words.
He begins in Philippians 4:4 by giving us the command, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.” Immediately we see that this is not an option. And secondly, it is to be a perpetual pursuit. What is he saying? When Jesus said that no man could take his joy from Him, and that there was a joy set before Him, He was speaking of the same thing…His joy was His Father. With eternal reason He declares this, since all the beauty and riches of God’s holiness is in the Father for Him, and it is a “Joy” that never ceases, since the character of God never diminishes in its qualities and extensiveness. The man who is learning to rejoice in the Lord, to delight himself in who and what the Lord Jesus IS, is the man who rises above the needs within and without, to begin to experience the reality of the goodness and graciousness of God. Stability of mind and heart begin to reveal themselves as a result.
The second salient feature is, “Be careful (worried) for NOTHING.” How can this be, and is it possible? If the believer has surrendered all to Christ, and believes in the sovereignty of God, he or she KNOWS that every need is an opportunity for seeking God “…by prayer and supplication,” and thus, proving His presence, provision, and power. The temptation to “worry” or “care” is the call to communion with the Eternal Son of God.
The third salient feature flows from the former…”…Pray without ceasing…” If we know that in us dwells no good thing, and that without Christ we can do nothing…then we believe also that He is “waiting to be wanted.” Every need, without and within, is that call to go to the door and let “the King of Glory” come in, giving Him access to the need, to meet that need in answer to prayer and faith. The promise: “…I will come into him and sup with him and he with Me.”
The fourth salient feature is that of thanksgiving, giving thanks in all things. I remember the story of Corrie Ten Boom, when with other women incarcerated in an interment camp during World War II, were besieged by fleas in their barracks. They gave thanks for the fleas!! It was learned afterwards that the fleas kept the guards away so that the women could study the Bible together, giving them hope and strength. This would not have been possible otherwise. If we believe that “all things work together for good to them that love the Lord…,” then we need to give thanks in all things.
Who lives a life of rejoicing in the Lord, being anxious for nothing, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks at all times? Only those who see these salient features as imperative, and then, humbly rely wholly on the Lord for the grace and enablement to do it. It has been said that “God’s commandments are God’s enablement.”
At the end of the parallel passage to Philippians 4, and this in 1 Thessalonians 5:24, we read: “Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.” Every day God is committed to providing all in Christ according to His calling to each of us. The wonderful reality is: “…who also WILL do it.” Do we believe it? Have we made these salient features our own by faith, and obedience?
Love, Dad