Don't Be Anxious - Phillipians 4:6-7,19

Phillipians 4:6-7,19
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

These are some of my favorite verses. Be anxious for nothing. Make your requests known to God.

The peace of God will guard your heart. God will supply all your needs.

The “how” of God’s command explains the how of God’s provision. How are we not to be anxious for anything when there are so many needs, or our circumstances become scary or dire? We are to pray and plead with thanksgiving. How can we be thankful when we lack? First - look around. We don’t lack EVERYTHING. Be thankful for what we do have. Second - as Barry has preached, when God speaks of what He will do, He speaks in the past tense, like it is already done. When God promises something, we can treat it as if it is finished. We can thank Him for what He will do.

Third - make sure you know and understand God’s promises. In verse 19, He promises that He will supply all of our needs. How? According to HIS riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Does that say God promises to supply according to the method WE want or expect? No, He promises to do it according to His riches, for His glory, not ours.  My experience is that God involves the people around us to provide for us in a way that glorifies Himself. He could have dropped a big pile of money in my lap, or he could simply provide a better job that would make me look much better and allow me to rely on myself. But instead, he involved the people around me, which showed me that they - and He - love me. I had to rely on Him by relying on them. I had to be humble, admitting that I couldn’t do it on my own, and accept their generosity, and in turn bless them back with my gratitude and my stories of God’s provision.

This is how a body works. I’ve been active in this body for some time, I’m generous with what I have to maintain this body for God’s glory and for the good of the members of this body, and myself. In turn, this body takes care of me, glorifying God.

Offering Prayer
Heavenly Father, with grateful hearts, we come before You today, remembering Your promise in Philippians 4:19 that 'And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus.'. We thank You for Your unwavering provision, for knowing our needs even before we ask, and for always providing for us in abundance, not just for our physical needs, but also for our spiritual well-being. As we offer our gifts today, may they be a reflection of Your generosity and a testament to our faith in Your unfailing love. Guide us in using our resources wisely, to serve others and to further Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.