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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
We resume our discussion of the four conditions that Paul listed in order to enjoy the mental and spiritual protection that God offers. Citing our text, we read, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4.4-7).
Condition 1: "Rejoice in the Lord!" (previous installment)
Condition 2: "Let your gentleness be known to all men." (previous installment)
Condition 3: “Be anxious for nothing.” Someone says, “Well I just can't help but worry about some things!” God says, “Be anxious for nothing.” Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry [Do not be anxious], saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry [Do not be anxious] about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry [be anxious] about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6.29-32).
If God is seeing after a matter, why should I also attempt to see after it? Am I not confident that God will keep His word concerning the future and how He will attend to the physical things of which I stand in need? If someone asked you to look after a matter, what would you think if that person continually checked up on the matter and showed no confidence in your ability to deliver as promised? Would such actions indicate trust or distrust in the matter?
Condition 4: “Let your requests be made known to God.” The charge to let our request be made known to God is also modified by the charge to ask all things “...by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.” God knows what He chooses to know, but He still expects His children to ask. I do not profess to know the mysteries connected with prayer, but it stands to reason that prayer is an outward manifestation of trust. On the other end of the spectrum, the absence of prayer signals the absence of trust. God demands that His children trust Him; in fact, trust is a prerequisite to becoming His child. Paul's admonition to petition Him in prayer is an admonition to greatness, though some see it as a matter of weakness. It has been correctly observed that no man stands as tall as when he falls to his knees!
Prayer not only pleases God, but it also is an outlet for the petitioner. It allows us to verbalize what we are feeling, or wanting, or regretting, or wondering about. Prayer is an outlet where feelings can be vented without fear of remonstration or rebuke. It is not so much a time to tell God what we are feeling as it is a time for us to admit to ourselves how we feel about things. Faithful prayer demands an honesty that is far above that which any exchange with man demands. In point of fact, God knows how we feel and what our desires are before we ask. But, we can be assured that He hears us if we ask according to His will (1 John 5.14-15).
God's plan to secure the wellbeing of our minds and hearts is a plan with temporal and eternal rewards. Don't settle for less!
Questions:
1. What does it mean to be anxious for nothing? What is another way that can be stated?
2. How does Philippians 4.4-7 compare to Matthew 6.29-32?
3. What is the connection between fervent, honest prayer and humility?
4. What assurance does John offer when we ask God anything according to His will?
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