Then the God of peace will be with you
Then the God of peace will be with you
Philippians 4:8-9 Peace comes from fixing your thoughts on “things that are excellent and worthy of praise”
Original photo © 2012, Steven Sande
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9 NLT
Paul’s epistle to the Philippians is short and sweet, filled with God’s truth. As it nears the end in the fourth chapter, the apostle admonishes the people of Philippi to fix their thoughts on a number of good things — truth, honor, rightness, purity, things that are lovely and admirable, excellent and worthy of praise. Just typing that list made me feel good!
Paul knew that these are nourishment for the mind guarded by God’s peace. Putting these good attributes into our mind, they stay there, and then come forth in our dealings with others. Simply stated, what we choose to think deeply about matters, and Paul is describing a way to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Instructing the people of Philippi, Paul set himself as an example of all of the positive attributes of a godly life. He was truly a living example, and asked the Philippians to emulate him. Following his advice to the Philippians gave them and can give us the peace of God, and the God of peace will be with us as well.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, fill my mind with all that is good and commendable, and fix my thoughts only on things that are praiseworthy. Your peace always overpowers my anxious thoughts, knowing that the light of Christ banishes the darkness of all evil. I ask you to guide and guard my thoughts in the name of Your Most Precious Son, Jesus Christ. AMEN.