The Lord is at Hand
Philippians 4:4-9
4. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. 6. Have no anxiety 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 passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, 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, do; and the God of peace will be with you.
Rejoice. Wow, after a stressful week and crazy weekend, I might wonder how in the world I am to rejoice! Sometimes I feel as if I’m a spinning top! Have no anxiety? How is that possible? Paul tells us quite plainly and succinctly: The Lord is at hand. That’s how we make it through anything and everything the world might throw at us. That’s how we stay focused and centered on God. We remember that He is at hand -- he is near us, with us, in us. That’s how we acquire and retain the peace of God.
The “world” doesn’t spin on truth, honor, purity, loveliness, graciousness, excellence. The “world” tells us that we are each on our own, and we need to grab after whatever we can get - through any means we must use. It doesn’t matter if we trample over someone else. It doesn’t matter if we lie or cheat to get what we want. Being the “nice one” usually gets you kicked off
The Apprentice and
Survivor. The “world” honors that “killer instinct.”
Jesus showed us a better way. Yes, he was crucified. But he rose on the third day! Isn’t eternal life in heaven more enticing than anything this world has to offer? Isn’t rising as a perfect creation of God worth living in the example of Christ? No, it isn’t easy to turn away from the enticements of this world. There is much to be had, and to enjoy and to savor and to hold to ourselves. But Paul reminds us that everything is better, sweeter, more savory and fulfilling if we follow his example, and that of Christ.
Submission and obedience are a “weakling” response according to the world. But God is the ruler of this world and He sent Jesus to tell us there is more to life than what you see and feel and hear right now in this human form, in this present moment. Heaven awaits all those who look to the Cross, who stand in the shadow of salvation and hide it in their hearts, and make it their own. Jesus died, knowing that he would rise and live again in heaven.
I want to be like Jesus! I want to live forever in heaven. I want to be reunited with those whom I love who have gone before me. I want to bow down before the throne of God. I want to walk with Jesus. I want to be perfected. The promise of heaven is reason enough to rejoice in every circumstance, through every trial and tribulation. And that promise makes every celebration that much more joyous, every joy sweeter.
My prayer today is that you rejoice in the Lord. And that no matter where you go, no matter what you do, you remember that the Lord is at hand.
Mary
