Philippians 4:6-19 "Be careful 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 passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
In this passage in Philippians, we see we have the PRIVILEGE OF PRAYER TO HELP US (V.6). “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Joseph Scriven got it right when he wrote these words “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear! All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!" With the power of prayer and the promise that He will hear us, what blessing has been afforded us! And in Hebrews 4: 15-16 we read, “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Christ fully understands our infirmities and is touched by our feelings.
Second, we have the PEACE OF GOD TO KEEP US (v.7). “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."In our greatest trial, our darkest hour or hardship we call on our God through Christ Jesus and have the peace of mind soul and heart. Psalm 119:165 states this without contradiction: "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. " Offend here means to "stumble and fall into sin." Isaiah 32: 17 -18 says, “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places."
Third, is the PRESENCE OF GOD TO ACCOMPANY US (v. 9). “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Matthew 28: 20 “… and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Hebrews 11: 27 “By faith he (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing HIM who is invisible." In ever trial or tribulation, Christ walks with us through it all. In our discouragements He comforts us. Scrivner's hymn continues,“Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere” We should never be discouraged, “Take it to the Lord in prayer: Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows how every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer.”
Fourth, is the PATTERN OF OTHERS BEFORE US (v.9-10). "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity." The Apostle Paul gives us some great advice here. When we wonder how we should behave, how we should live out our Christian life, but we are not sure, look to Spirit-filled, Spirit-led Christians you know and see how they handle life's trials. When we do not understand a passage of Scripture, seek out a spiritual believer known for their Biblical understanding. In this world we do not need to walk alone. We have brothers and sister in Christ to encourage us in our walk and understanding.
Fifth, we have the POLICY OF CONTENTMENT TO CALM US. (v. 11) “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." The Christian’s contentment is not found in the abundance of things, it is found in Christ. The Christian’s contentment is not found in the abundance of friends, it is found in the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. The Christian’s contentment is not found in position, it is found in a person, Jesus Christ. Contentment comes from knowing Christ personally, trusting in HIS promises, and walking in HIS footsteps. “Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered by a load of cares? Precious Savior, still our refuge; Take it to the Lord in prayer: Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer, In His arm He’ll take and shield thee; Thou wilt find a solace there.”
Sixth, we have the POWER OF CHRIST TO STRENGTHEN US (v.13). “I can do all things through Christ which strentheneth me.”Have you ever cried out “I can’t do this?” If we were truthful, we all have faced situations, trials, or tasks that seem to overcome us. At times like these, we seek God’s strength. Verse thirteen says, "I can do all things through Christ." It is not our strength that will get us through, it is Christ’s strength. Like the song says “I am weak, but thou are strong.” Our spiritual and yes, our physical strength comes not from within us, it comes through Christ working in and through us.
The Seventh blessing is THE PROMISE OF GOD TO PROVIDE FOR US (v.19). “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” It is according to His riches, not out of His riches. In Matthew 21:1-4 Jesus is watching people put their offerings in the treasury. The rich gave out of their abundance, but the poor widow gave all she had. Giving out our abundance is not the same as giving in accordance to your abundance. One is following the general rule of giving. The other is giving in accordance with the need. When God supplies our need, it is out of His abundance. He supplies all our needs. Period. And His abundance is inexhaustible.
The last great blessing for the believer is the PROVISION OF GOD TO SAVE US. Romans 5:10 tells us, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” While this truth is not stated in our text, it is expressed in the book and is the greatest provision we have in God. Our salvation is God’s greatest love gift. We can only be reconciled through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Once we were God enemies, but through the death of Christ Jesus we can receive forgiveness and be reconciled to Him and born into the family of God.
