Scripture
Philippians 4:4-7 – Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 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 minds in Christ Jesus.
Observation
Paul is encouraging the Philippian church to be joyous about the gospel. We should rejoice and let everyone know about our hope in reasonable faith. The Lord is with us and does not want us to be anxious or fearful about things big or small. We are to thankfully bring our troubles/fears and submit them before God. Praying to God and giving our worry over to Him will allow us a peace in both heart and mind through Jesus.
Application
We are to to rejoice in the Lord always not just when things are going well or to stop at the first sign of discord. We have been saved from death and an eternity in Hell by the grace of God through the sacrifice of Jesus. This is the greatest news the world will ever know! Our Christian faith is reasonable, historically viable, the source of our hope which needs to be shared with all. Jesus is with us and He tells us right before his ascension into heaven to be with the Father. Yet, sometimes I want to have control and hold onto things. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25 not to worry and as Paul instructs the Philippians we are to be anxious about nothing and pray about all things giving them over to the Lord. God is sovereign and in control. God wants us bring our needs to Him in humble prayer and there is a peace when we submit our lives over to Him.
Prayer
Father, Thank you for sending Jesus to to save us and be with us. May I rejoice in the Lord always. Help me to submit all my concerns over to you and live in your peace.