Hi and welcome back to Van Life Devotion. We are in ancient Philippi where in Acts 16 we read about Paul and Silas’ ministry here. We visited where Paul and Silas witnessed to Lydia and her household and the river that they were baptized, and the probable place where Paul and Silas were imprisoned. Previous devotions reflected their remarkable ministry here.
Paul visited the church at Philippi again on his third mission’s trip where the new church gave generously to support Paul’s ministry (Philippians 4:15; 2 Corinthians 11:9) as well as to the church in Jerusalem (2 Corinthians 8:1–5). A few years later, when Paul was imprisoned in Rome, the church at Philippi sent Epaphroditus to minister to him.
While Paul was imprisoned which was around AD 61, he wrote four letters – Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians. Unlike the letters to the Churches at Ephesus and Colossae, Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi showed gratefulness and encouragement. He loved this church. After Christianity was made legal in the Roman Empire several churches were built. We spent time at Octagon Church built in the early fourth century.
One of my favourite passages from this letter to this church is chapter 4 verses 6 and 7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 4:6-7 NIV).
I find this passage both interesting and wonderful. Being in prison, Paul wrote knowing that his life could end at any moment. Yet he tells the church “Do not be anxious about anything”. Paul had every reason to be anxious. Now he is passing on some wisdom to a group of Christians who were new in their faith and yet experiencing difficulties.
Over the years I have experience the promise of this passage. The passage promises that they will have the peace of God guarding their hearts and minds. This peace Paul found a bit challenging to described so he simply wrote that it “transcends all understanding” and that’s what I think it is. When I think of this peace, I don’t aways understand it, because my issue that ought to be causing me anxiety and for good reason, I’m not. Instead, I have this peace that I can only describe as supernatural – that is – from God. I’m calmer knowing that God is in control.
And that is the key. Learning and accepting that God is in control. I’ve learnt when deep issues of concern confront me, the type that keeps me up at night, that I need to present my requests to God more than just a one-off prayer. I need to become “poor in spirit” as Jesus puts in the Beatitudes which means I need to come to the end of my rope with nothing else to cling to but God. It’s a journey that I’m learning to surrender my control or lack of to the Lord, knowing it is in His hands.
Some of my prayers have seen amazing answers. Some answers to my prayer have resulted in much needed change within so I view my concern differently. Some answers I am still waiting on God. However, peace of God is guarding my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
I trust that you too will experience this promise of the peace of God guarding you heart and mind, and that it will help you to sleep a little bit better.
Let’s Pray.
Dear God. There are anxious times in our lives that unsettles us. Grant us Your supernatural peace that You are in control.
O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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