May 2025 'The Peace of God from the God of Peace' - Phil 4.6-7

Anxiety and fear are common to the human experience. This is true whether we are Christians or not. In this sinful fallen world anxiety, worry and fear creep up on us, weigh us down and obscure our perspective. As Christians we know that the Bible has a lot to say about anxiety. Some of the most famous verses in the Bible speak to our anxieties and worries. Many Christians over the years have turned to Philippians chapter 4, verses 6 and 7:

‘Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’

Paul here encourages us to take all of our anxieties to God in prayer. As we come before him, we entrust ourselves and our circumstances to him. We come to the all-powerful one who is sovereign over the circumstances of our lives. As a result, the peace of God, guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This is not to say that anxieties and worries disappear but that God will sustain us with his peace as we endure difficulty. We will have an underlying peace that will see us through difficult times.

In the verses that follow (8-9), Paul changes the subject from anxiety to obedience. In verse 8 he calls the believers to think well. To dwell upon good and God honouring things. Things that will lead to honouring and obeying God. He says to think upon things that are true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. This reflects what Paul says elsewhere about ‘being transformed by the renewing of your minds.’ Following that thinking, in verse 9 he calls them to obedience. what they had learned and seen in Paul; they were to imitate. Paul imitated Christ and they were to do the same. He writes, ‘Practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.’

As we bring our prayers to God, the peace of God guards us and as we obey, the God of peace is with us. As we follow and obey, we can be sure that he is present and he goes with us. We grow in our assurance that he will never leave us or forsake us. The God of peace is with us. The one who dwells in perfect peace and who we will one day dwell with in perfect peace.

Whatever you are currently facing, bring it all to God and know the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. As you continue to follow and obey him, may you know the presence of the God of peace always.