Philippians 4:1-9--Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

4 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

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The chapter division seems to have been made with one thought left from the previous section--that Paul longs for heaven and the rewards that will be awaiting him there.  He encourages all the believers to also hold fast to this truth and likewise stand firm in the Lord.

Paul then starts to wrap up the letter with specific instructions for situations that have been told to him by the messenger from Philippi.  Apparently there were a couple women that were fighting with each other and it sounds like their feud was interfering with God's work and preventing them from being able to work together.  Paul told them that they needed to put an end to their feuding and for the church to come alongside and help these women live at peace with one another and help them do the work that God called them to do.

Then probably some of the most well-known verses from the book of Philippians.  "Rejoice in the Lord always."  That is written as an imperative (it is a command), and it's a very hard command to keep.  Paul even repeated it to make sure to emphasize it as things that were said twice had more importance in Greek (like our comparative form that usually ends in -er).  We should be sober-minded (reasonable) not having our thoughts controlled by anyone or anything.  We should be marked by self-control, one of the fruits of the Spirit.  We should not be anxious about anything for anxiety comes from fear and fear is the opposite of faith--it comes from believing that our circumstances that we see are bigger than God who we cannot see instead of believing that the invisible God that we know intimately will carry us through anything.  We already know the outcome--eternal life in heaven with Christ.  There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God and God has promised us that He will care for us as His own children.  So then what is there to worry and be anxious about?  "Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." (I Peter 5:7).

How is that possible?  Well, we have to start with remembering who God is.  Adore Him for His attributes that are immutable (unchangeable) and ask Him to let you see those things again even if you don't see them right now.  Thank Him for what He has done in the past and recite the history of what God has done for His people and for you specifically (your testimony).  Tell this often to believers and non-believers because sometimes you are the one who needs to hear this again to remember.  Finally, after all this and remember who God is and what He has done, boldly approach the throne of grace with your supplications (your requests that still burden you) knowing that God is the only one big enough to deal with them and leave put it completely in God hands.  Leave the burden there and let God be responsible for the outcome.  Don't go back and try to pick it up after you've laid it down.  In this way, the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus as you will have no more need to worry or be anxious.  You choose how you respond to your situations.  Do you turn them over to Christ or do you try to handle them in your own strength?  You are not big enough or strong enough to handle even your own issues let alone the problems of the world, but the shoulders of Christ are broad enough to carry not only the weight of the cross, but the cares of those who cast their cares upon Him.

Last, but not least, Paul gives them some additional instructions related to not being anxious and rejoicing in the Lord always as this is mostly a battle that is fought in the mind.  Paul tells the believers in Philippi to fill their minds (and hearts) with the things that are honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise.  If we fill ourselves with these things, it should push everything else out and these things should keep our mind focused on Christ, the work He has done, the work He can do and the work He has promised to do in and through us (and that He has promised to bring to completion).  Paul then points to himself again and encourages them to imitate him so that the peace of God will be with them.