Anyone can have peace while times are peaceful. Anyone can have happiness and joy when all is well! Anyone can be hopeful and upbeat when life is perfect! But the follower of Christ can have hope, peace and joy, while the everything is going wrong and the world around them is falling apart. It is not noteworthy that a person has peace when all is peaceful. It is significant when the world is in turmoil and we have complete peace.
THE CONTEXT OF THIS VERSE SHOWS WE HAVE TO DISCIPLINE OUR FOCUS
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Showing off my 6 year old son’s photography.
Many years ago when I was 28 years old, my 29 year old brother was buried alive in a work related accident. He was working with a company that was installing a 30 inch diameter concrete storm drain for a homeless shelter in Virginia, USA. The hole was deep and the company neglected to use a digging box that would have protected my brother and the other young fellow who was also in the ditch at the time of the collapse. When the ground gave way, my brother’s was standing and the soil covered his head with only 6 inches of dirt above him, while covering the younger lad to his waist. The boy was in a sitting position.
My sister and I were watching the local news on TV when the news flash of the accident came on. They described the scene but named no names. I looked at my sister and told her that I saw our brother Roger working at this same site just the day before. We both got in a car and drove about 15 miles to the accident site. Sure enough, that was our brother who was buried alive. So close to him, but he was out of sight. The efforts were all focused on the young worker and it took over 8 hours to successfully get him out of the ground.
Meanwhile my mom, dad, my oldest sister and some friends were all arriving at the scene. They had put a barrier around the accident so it was difficult to see inside. They did allow me to go inside when I wanted to. But my family and I huddled together and we sang hymns. We focused on our faith in God! You see this is what the context of our text admonishes.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Our focus is about the good and praiseworthy things in our lives. One thing we focused on is the true promise of the Ressurection where we will all rise and be with the Lord for eternity. Only about two years prior to this accident, God, in His mercy allowed me to lead my brother to Christ.
Even the day before the accident, I did what I normally would not do, but I stopped when I saw my brother near this place running a jackhammer. I pulled my car over, walked up to my brother and hugged him and told him that I loved him. God in His mercies allowed this or even orchestrated it.
After around 8 hours, they were able to get my brother out of the ground. They placed him in an ambulance and washed most of the mud off of him. They allowed me to go into the ambulance to see him. I walked near his side and I placed my hand on his chest.
*In my lifetime I have heard the audible voice of God only a few times. This moment was one of them! The very second I put my hand on my brother’s chest I heard a thundering but gentle voice to my right. I did not see anything. But the voice said to me, “He is with Me!”
Hallelujah! Peace when all is falling apart.
Joy when nothing seems good!
Faith in the face of adversity!
In our text He says, “Peace that passes understanding”.
It makes no sense but we can have this peace or rest no matter the circumstance.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Daddy William
Here is my beloved family.
