Thursday, October 3

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2013

Jeremiah 1:1–2:30

Philippians 4:1–23

Psalm 75:1–10

Proverbs 24:17–20

 

 

“Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but, in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4–7)

 

Paul concludes his letter to the Philippians with the encouragement to follow the pathway that God has indicated for him:  to find joy in God’s provision and presence.  These verses highlight the calming effects of prayer:  not in the act itself as a ritual, but rather in the awesome worthiness of the Recipient Himself.  Experience demonstrates to us that God rarely answers our prayers in the straightforward fashion that we would imagine.  Sometimes, it appears that prayers offered on behalf of others seem more effectual than those offered personally.  Yet, in all cases, prayer enables us to rest, “leaning on the everlasting Arms.”

 

Interestingly, Paul urges the Philippian believers to present their requests “with thanksgiving,” echoing the truth of 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18:  “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  This crucial attitude adjustment aids us to 1) remember God’s sovereignty and 2) prepare our hearts for the loving response.  Prayers offered without gratitude may emerge from a heart of self-sufficiency or pride.  When we come before God’s throne as empty vessels (in mind and heart), we have become ready to receive His blessings, even if the response should involve periods of refining struggle or seeming detours.

 

On a similar note, have you ever noticed that attitude may shift our perceptions of any circumstance from “pure drudgery” to “pure joy”?  Compare the attitude inherent to “I have to ____” vs. “I get to ____.”

 

 

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8,9)

 

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength [or Christ who strengthens me].” (Philippians 4:12,13)

 

A. W. Tozer starts The Knowledge of the Holy with this excellent observation:

 

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.

 

“The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God.

 

“For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like. We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God.  This is true not only of the individual Christian, but of the company of Christians that composes the Church.  Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God, just as her most significant message is what she says about Him or leaves unsaid, for her silence is often more eloquent than her speech.  She can never escape the self-disclosure of her witness concerning God.

 

From these verses and Tozer’s rumination, we gather that we share a personal and corporate responsibility to think rightly about God and His world.  This project involves retraining the mind and guarding our hearts – an active striving to fill ourselves with the goodness of His Word and welcoming the filling of the Holy Spirit while rejecting the falsehoods and distractions coming from the world and the evil one.  How may you encourage “high” thoughts of God in your life today?  How may you bring forth these thoughts in others?

 

For me, today, I will reflect on the truth that joy comes from trust.  The world teaches that joy results from positive circumstances, luck, money, or sensual pleasure.  Yet, the Word explains that the “joy of the Lord is my strength” and that love and others-mindedness unlock joy for a group.  I am grateful for a loving Father Who remains steady in the howling winds of change and Who never leaves us or forsakes us.  His ear listens for our humble cries, and He comes running to us as to the Prodigal Son.  Praise You, Father, that You are so incredibly good to us!

 

How about you?

 

 

Lord Jesus, thank You that You do strengthen us as we lean upon You.  Help us to grow in humility and trust in Your awesome provision and concern for Your sheep.  Help us not to look upon our circumstances as a reflection of Your attitude towards us, but change our hearts to an air of gratitude and moment-by-moment dependence.  Please meet us where we are, walking beside us and guiding us through the Holy Spirit.  Help us not to despair but to rejoice.  Place Your peace in our hearts that we might provide a living testimony of Your presence.  In Your Name, we pray.  Amen.

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