Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Today’s scripture comes from Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi. It is a warm and loving letter that among other things pleads with the Philippians to be marked by the mind of Christ, and thus to be brought to a new and happy oneness of interest and character with each other. Paul is apparently writing from his imprisonment in Rome to the Church, and recognizing their divisive tendency exhorts them to be moderate, mild and patient with each other while rejoicing in the Lord.
Paul’s letter could just as easily be written to Americans today. By the time you read this devotional we will have just completed a contentious, hard fought election. We are divided as a nation between Democrat and Republican, Conservative and Liberal. Paul counsels that the way to achieve peace is to rejoice in the Lord, to show gentleness to others and to bring every request to God in prayer.
Not bad advice for us, even if it is two thousand years old.
Lee Oxley
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