July 4 | Philippians 4:6-9

DAILY READING

Philippians 4:6-9

REFLECTION

Focusing on God Brings Peace

By Todd Marti

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9  (NIV, emphasis added).

Four things jumped out at me as I dug into this scripture.

First, Paul and his Philippian readers were living in dangerous circumstances. The Roman system operated on the premise that Ceasar was a god who must be worshipped. See generally, Roman Religion - The Imperial Cult Explained (The SPQR Historian).  Rome had little tolerance for those who bucked that system, as Christians necessarily did. Indeed, that’s why Paul was incarcerated when he wrote this scripture. Philippians 1:12-14. Those risks were particularly acute in Philippi because it was a hot bed of the Ceasar Cult, being largely populated by retired Roman veterans. Book of Philippians Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Bible Project).

Second, Paul urged his readers not to be overwhelmed by those circumstances, but to cope with them by focusing on God. He told them to “not be anxious,” and gave them ways to allay their fears. He explained that they could obtain peace in the midst of their precarious situation by bringing their fears to God, being grateful for His past provision, fixing their minds on the good things that come from Him, and following Paul’s godly example. Philippians 4:6-9.

Third, the Greek words underlying Paul’s instructions provide some detail on how to follow that advice:

• The words translated as “prayer” and “petition” describe intense prayer. They referred to “earnestly” seeking God’s help and making “entreaty” to Him. Paul was urging focused, heartfelt, conversation with God about deepfelt fears.

• “Thanksgiving” referred to gratitude, and that requires recollection and consideration of past instances of God’s faithfulness. That must have given peace about God’s willingness to get the Philippians through what they were presently facing. Maybe that’s why Paul told other disciples, likely facing similar threats, to “give thanks in all circumstances[.]” 1 Thessalonians 5:18. 

• The phrase “think about” in verse 9 is a weak translation of a much stronger Greek word. The underlying word meant to “deliberate” on something, to give it “consideration,” and to “carefully reflect on” it. Paul is urging more than passing thought of the virtues he mentioned, he is telling the Philippians togive them deep, ongoing, contemplation, something akin to what God prescribed in Joshua 1:8-9  as a remedy for anxiety. That must have provided a powerful tonic.

• Paul’s direction to “practice” the virtues he modeled was a direction to give those virtues continuous thought. The underlying Greek word described being busy with, habitually, and repeatedly performing something. Paul was therefore suggesting that the virtues he modeled be continually front of mind for the Philippians.

  
  

Fourth, those instructions are relevant today. Our culture gives political leaders, celebrities, sports heroes, and other things the type of exalted status that can easily distract from Christ. They compete for our attention and potentially shape our attitudes in the same ways that the Ceasar Cult did in the Philippians’ day. We are therefore wise to follow Paul’s prescription of prayer, thanksgiving, meditation on virtues, and emulation of Godly examples.

PRAYER

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.  Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations.  Amen.

Additional Resources

Similar principles can be gleaned from the scriptures collected at Wisdom Principles: God is a Refuge for Those Who Love Him and Wisdom Principles: Rely on God, not Material Power or Wealth  

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TODD MARTI

I have been connected to UALC since 2000 in various small groups and as a co-manager of the UALC Community Garden. I’m married to Kelly Marti, and the proud father of Sarah Marti. I am happy to be writing these devotions.