By Pastor Bob DeKlavon
Part of the training for most professions involves intensely working on some essential things.
For instance, while an auto mechanic cannot be trained on EVERY kind of car, they can learn some cars well and take what they have learned and use it on others. The same is true with doctors and patients or teachers and students—and on it goes.
As this applies to others—so it also applies with ministers.
I spent 4 years in Bible College and 4 years in seminary {...I crammed the 3-year program into 4...}. As part of our training, we studied chunks of the Bible at a time {e.g., the 5 books of Moses}. Then, classes were offered on specifics books {e.g., Philippians}. Even then, it was impossible to adequately ‘tear apart’ every one of the 104 verses. Consequently, we would get a few verses at a time and be taught to ‘tear them apart.’
So it was, that I came face to face with Philippians 4:6-7...
These verses say: “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
As I tore these verses apart, I was aware of becoming anxious about a paper on anxiety.
Seems silly, doesn’t it? Yet, how often do we as Christians get that way?
Obviously, when all is well: no anxiety. After all, why would we need to be anxious?
However, when things fall apart it is so easy to focus on our worries and forget the God Who cares for us.
As I looked at Philippians 4:6-7 I was struck by three thoughts:
{Please note the alliteration—we learned that in college}
1.) COMPLETENESS
Do you notice the words ‘nothing’ and ‘everything’ here?
We are to be anxious about ‘not one thing’ but pray about ‘every single thing.’
2.) CONTINUANCE
The verbs Paul uses here are in the present tense.
This implies something that is done continually.
So—‘stop being anxious and keep bringing your requests to God.’
God does not get tired of our asking even if we ask 1001 times an hour.
3.) COMPREHENSION
For those who have peace WITH God—they find the peace OF God.
I often say: “I don’t need the peace that passes comprehension unless I am going through trials beyond description.”
I know this time is hard, but our God is stronger and wiser than anything that comes.
And remember, the person who wrote Philippians 4:6-7 was in prison at the time.
He learned the secret of being content which is: “I can do all things through Christ.”