Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons with the return of crisper, inviting weather, drinks that invoke fellowship, and trees covered with leaves of bronze, orange, and brilliant reds. It is also a time filled with new activities, new business, and a new harvest season. Amidst the beauty of these changes, and before it gets too cold, it’s easy to get wrapped up in our own lives or perhaps with the world’s turmoil around us. From the Afghani refugee crisis and the latest political turmoil to how-to balance work and rest in our own lives. It can be challenging to find the peace that God talks of in His Word. Philippians 4:6 is a tried-and-true Scripture that can be found on many Christian signs or bookmarks, but oh how hard it is to carry out! Today, let’s spend a few moments looking into why we need to keep reading so that we can discover what we get in response to verse 6.
Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s Peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Now, that you’ve read the Scripture, which is familiar to most, go and read it again, SLOWLY this time.
Peace, this need that we all strive for, long for, and even pay big money to try to acquire, is a promise that God said is already ours! Free of charge! Looking at verse 7, we see that God’s Peace also does something unusual, it guards.
Guard - [1] φρουρέω (phoroureo)
1. To guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight
2. By watching and guarding to preserve one from the attainment of something.
3. To be a watcher in advance, figuratively, to hem in, protect-keep
I never had the opportunity to study Greek in school, but I am a word fanatic, and the Greek gives us insight into the deeper meaning of what God’s Peace does for us. Unlike our usual definition of peace, a state of tranquility or quiet [2]. God’s Peace is our guard, our protector, and our security. What is He protecting? Our hearts and minds! I don’t know about you, but I desperately need my heart and mind to be protected. There are so many things vying for our attention: our schedules, work, and relationships. However, you have something guarding your heart and mind, the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ!
God’s Word tells us how we can get this Peace guard in verse 6. It seems simple, but yet it can be a challenging task. Pray about what is on your heart and mind. Just as you would tell a friend, tell God what you need. Then amidst the chaos of this season, thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s Peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
Do you need to take a step towards obedience and pray? Do you need to tell God your needs or give Him more thanksgiving? Trust that His Peace is guarding you while you do!
[1]“G5432 - Phroureō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NLT).” Blue Letter Bible, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5432/nlt/mgnt/0-1/.
[2]“Peace.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peace#:~:text=(Entry%201%20of%203),a%20breach%20of%20the%20peace.