Philippians 4:6–7

First, "Do not be anxious about anything." That does not mean being careless about anything. God expects us to use proper, sensible foresight. But we are not to sink under the weight of carrying what God would carry for us. There are circumstances beyond our control. The way out is a difficulty we cannot overcome in our own strength. Then leave it with God.

Here the Apostle's exhortation has in view the circumstances of life. He knows that in a world of sorrow and sickness, of need and care, we will face trials and carry burdens. But he does not want us tearing our hearts apart over them. He writes from a prison. He had gone without, and a fellow-worker had been sick almost to death. Yet in these sad circumstances God lifted him above all anxious care, so he can say to others, "Do not be anxious about anything."

A thousand small matters in our lives have no clear link to the Name and interests of Christ. Even so, we are free to bring them to God. In fact He tells us to. As we do so we may be in the enjoyment of the peace of God. We may be anxious as to nothing, because prayerful as to everything, and thankful for anything.

"Do not be anxious about anything," Phil. 4:6. That is simple to say. But what — not be concerned about the state of the church, or about the pressure of a family? Do not be anxious about anything. Whatever creates a care in us creates God's care for us. So "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

The first, translated "prayer," tells us of prayer in general — of any address to God. The second, "supplication," tells of prayer for particular needs or benefits. We use the first word only of prayer to God; the second we may also use towards other people. The first may include worship, as we come to God in prayer; whereas the second is what we want from God. And let us not forget, for Paul never forgot, that all is to be with "thanksgiving."

So they could use prayer and supplication about everything — but with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving keeps the prayer from voicing unbelief or complaint. It also builds confidence in praying to One whose answers have already been clear.

Better not make them known to people; it is a dangerous snare. By all means make them known to God. There is something people should see, and that is your not fighting for your rights. "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone." "Let your requests be made known to God."

Will He answer the requests? Will He remove the trial? He may see that to answer the request, or remove the trial, would not be for our good. In the trial itself, He will act in perfect wisdom and perfect love for our good. But this God will do: He will relieve our hearts from the burden of the trial. If we pour out our hearts before Him, He will pour His peace into our hearts.

"The peace of God" must be distinguished from "peace with God," which we read about in Romans 5:1. That is peace in our relationship with God. It comes from knowing He has declared us righteous. This peace is like God's own peace in character. It fills our hearts when we have committed everything to Him in prayer and trust His love and wisdom on our behalf. Then we have no anxious care about anything.

The peace of God is that which fills God's own heart above, which nothing disturbs. The heavens have been corrupted and the earth ruined. Israel has failed, and the Church too. Yet nothing disturbs the peace of the Divine heart. His purposes stand, despite all the failure of His creatures; there God rests and there we rest also.

It does not say you shall keep the peace of God. It says "the peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds." That is the peace God Himself lives in. What peace must that be! Can any circumstances shake God's throne? God is not troubled about circumstances. Lay the whole burden on Him. Then "the peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds," and it will flow into your hearts like a river, surpassing all understanding.

There is no guarantee, you notice, that all our requests will be granted. That would never do. Our understanding is very limited, so we often ask for what would bring no glory to our Lord and no blessing to us. The guarantee is this: the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds. Again and again Christians pass through trials they had begged to escape. Afterwards they look back and say, "I am a wonder to myself. I cannot understand how I came through so heavy a trial and was still lifted above it into such calm."

"Shall keep your hearts and minds." A better translation is "Shall guard your hearts and thoughts." Picture yourself under siege in a walled city, surrounded by a powerful and vengeful enemy. But the garrison on the wall is so alert and so capable that you rest as if there were no enemy at all. That would surpass all understanding.

This "Sentinel" will guard from enemies within and without. It will guard me from the evil thoughts that rise up inside, hated and unwanted… But I must not think this: if I choose to open the gates to the enemy, if I choose to turn from my Bible to television or the like, I cannot expect my Heavenly Guard to fight for me then.

There is a wonderful progression. It starts with having "peace with God" (Rom. 5:1), a peace that settles our standing before Him. It moves on to enjoying the "peace of God" (Phil. 4:7) when we hand our concerns and prayers over to Him. From there it reaches the experience that the "God of peace" is with us.