Do Not Be Anxious
Saturday, March 8
Philippians 4:6
The Philippian congregation was especially gracious to Paul. They supported his mission work when no one else was helping financially. (Philippians 4:15) God’s provision to Paul, through that congregation, was an answer to Paul’s prayers. And the congregation there was mostly Gentile. So in spite of the absence of the Jewish people who had a legacy of giving generously, (Genesis 14:20) a giving spirit blossomed early and abundantly. The young saints were inspired by the Gospel to reflect the generosity of their Lord, Who gave all He had. In fact, the congregation also helped the suffering saints in Jerusalem.
When we give, we know the joy of giving, and we experience the tangible truth that God does provide, both through us and to us. But there are always stewardship challenges.
Paul first met a kindly Gentile woman in Philippi who provided lodging and financial help. However, soon thereafter Paul found himself beaten and placed in the dank jail of Philippi. How would money help him now?
Acts 16 records that an earthquake shook the prison with a holy release: doors were opened, and chains fell off hands and feet.
God delivers, one way or another.
When Paul later wrote the letter to the Philippians, he was again in prison! And he was anticipating the real possibility of his death (Phil. 1:20-23). Was Paul anxious? In some diluted ways, yes, he was divided. He was wrestling with the two possible outcomes of his imprisonment: death or freedom. He surprisingly personally preferred death!
The root word for anxiety means to “be divided.” What is being divided when we develop anxiety? It seems to happen when we are caught between what we want and some other alternative – which we may not really want. This was Paul’s case. He really wanted to be in heaven, but he concluded “…yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” (Phil. 1:24)
Of course, Paul used the important pathway of prayer to resolve his anxiety. (Phil 1:4, 19)
So we are to do what Paul said, even when facing death… “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:6)
What was the result? Well, read the next three verses (Phil. 4:7-9) and see.
PRAYER: Living Lord God, know my anxious heart and forgive any fears based upon weak faith. Enable me to see life through Your eyes, given to me by faith. Enable me to sacrifice what I want, with what is more necessary for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.