The Peace of God

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing 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.
Philippians 4:4-7

Paul the Apostle was in prison, sent this letter in the hands of a friend and brother in Christ; and he tells the Philippian Church, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say ‘ Rejoice.’ ”  It does not seem that he had much to rejoice in, but he was different from most of us and could rejoice because of who he knows, and what he knows.

He can rejoice because he knows that the Lord is near.  He knows of the patience, the forbearance of these people; let that be known among all the people.  That ( forbearance) is a good thing to practice.

The Apostle tells us here not to be  anxious, worried about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, tell the Lord your situation, and He will give you peace.  He will give you the peace that passes understanding.  The apostle Paul knew this peace and that is how he could tell them to “Rejoice.”

Sitting as a prisoner in a rented house, under guard night and day, the apostle Paul sees God as being bigger and greater than his being imprisoned.  God was doing great and mighty things through Paul’s ministry of prison.  He knew that God is bigger than the walls he was bound to.  God is bigger than Rome, and He is bigger than the universe which He created.

When we see God in His Son Jesus Christ, as being bigger and greater than our fears and worries, then we can have the peace of God that passes all understanding.

The LORD’S Loving Kindness Is Better Than Life

O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.
Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee.  Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy name.  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips:  When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches.
Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice.  My soul followeth hard after Thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me.  But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.  They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.  But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by Him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Psalm 63:1-11

This is a Psalm of David while fleeing from king Saul, who was trying to kill him.   What can I learn from this Psalm?

…You shall know that I am in the midst…

Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.  Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.  Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.  And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, My great army which I sent among you.  And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and My people shall never be ashamed.  And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and My people shall never be ashamed.
Joel 2:21-27