I love the book of Philippians.
It is a one for all of life because it is hard. For what can "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice" mean in good days? We hear it and smirk, thinking we have already grasped the heights of divine pleasure. Don't lecture me, I know, I know ... then in pits of darkness the same words are lost on us.
If only for a little while.
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Philippians 4
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown,stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. (4:1)
Stand firm thus in the Lord.
This is our whole life. The struggle to be faithful, we have no where else to go; the struggle to trust and believe that the promises of God are good and true. When Jesus spoke to the woman at the well (what an obscure way to remember her), she couldn't fathom why a Jewish man would want to speak to a Samaritan woman.
God, that you would love me? You would reach out to me? Do you know who I am?
But Paul's instruction is not about us, neither is it incomplete. He say stand firm thus, meaning like this, like so, and reveals how we can stand firm: only in the Lord.
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 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. (4:2-3)
Are we surprised that the problem here is with fellow laborers, Christian saints who are dedicated to the gospel? Or are conflict and pleas for restoration reminders our present complete-incomplete status. Latin is my last resort, but few words capture Christian identity better than simul justus et Peccator,at the same time righteous and a sinner.
This is why we are commanded to rejoice in the Lord always, for reconciliation through the cross of Christ and future hope of eternal reunion.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (4:4-7)
Joy is our life line, not an option. The call is to rejoice over and over, always, regardless of how we feel or how we think it will make us feel. There is much to be said about the psychology of gratitude as an antidote for depression, is this a biblical basis? I like to think so. I am so bad at it, but if my life could revolve much more around:
1) thankfulness for the small things
2) seeing that God is sovereign and in control of it all
3) surrendering everything to him through prayer,
it might take a lot less time to get out of the fluxes.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Don't you just love that verse!
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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.(4:8-9)
Dad texted me this verse the day I flew back from Shanghai for the last time. I got it as I was leaving the plane and couldn't stop crying. I remember running into their arms as soon as I could get through the glass that separated baggage from arrivals.
"It's okay, you're safe now, you're home."
See:
http://www.ligonier.org/blog/simul-justus-et-peccator
David Platt, Take Heed Lest You Fall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rggpTx-mrsw
David Platt, Take Heed Lest You Fall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rggpTx-mrsw
