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LEARN & GROW
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Week of July 12, 2009
KEY VERSE
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)
CENTRAL TRUTH
The peace of God is available to all who through prayer and thanksgiving give their burdens to God.
DEVOTION
Did you ever have a sleepless night where you tossed and turned in bed, unable to get some worrisome circumstance out of your head? How can I pay these bills? How can I improve this relationship? How can I change this circumstance? If you are like me, you probably have had more than one like that. One night, in desperation, after literally hours of tossing and turning, I silently cried out to God in prayer and literally asked him to give me His peace. The next thing I knew, it was morning, and I woke up refreshed. The circumstances had not changed. My problem was not solved. Yet, inexplicably, I was at peace. That was the peace of God. I could rejoice in that. His invitation is open to all who trust in Him.
Philippians 4:4 encourages us, "REJOICE in the Lord ALWAYS," and follows by saying in verse 6, "Do not be anxious about ANYTHING." Rejoice when things are tough? Don't be anxious when we have financial, health, or relationship concerns? That is easier said than done, to be sure, for any of us. Yet God our Father in His love tells us that we indeed should rejoice, for if through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, we lay out requests, concerns, and fears before GOD, "... the peace of God, which surpasses ALL understanding, WILL guard your hearts, and your minds in Christ Jesus."(Philippians 4:7)
The two verses are connected by the conjunction "and," implying if we do our part, God will do His part and give us the peace to get through our difficult circumstances. The peace of God that surpasses ALL understanding? Not the peace of man, or the peace from self help books or gurus, not even the peace of a fat bank account, fancy car, or expensive clothes, any of which, at best, is temporal. He will replace our anxiety with His peace, a peace that transcends ALL circumstances. It sounds like a good trade off to me.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What current circumstances by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving do you need to make known to God?
- What circumstance or need do you currently have that you think is too big for God?
- How would it affect you if you could feel complete peace about your current concerns?
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