February 26th, 2009 Lenten Meditation Day Two
From Phillippians 4 [show]<div class="esv"><h2>Philippians 4 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F50004001-50004023" width="40" height="12" class="audio"><param name="movie" value="http://www.esvapi.org/assets/play.swf?myUrl=hw%2F50004001-50004023" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /></object></h2>
<div class="esv-text"><p id="p50004001.01-1"><span class="chapter-num" id="v50004001-1">4:1 </span>Therefore, my brothers,<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f1" id="b1" title="Or 'brothers and sisters'; also verses 8, 21">[1]</a></span> whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.</p>
<h3 id="p50004002.01-1">Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer</h3>
<p class="chapter-first" id="p50004002.05-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004002-1">2 </span>I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004003-1">3 </span>Yes, I ask you also, true companion,<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f2" id="b2" title="Or 'loyal Syzygus'; Greek 'true yokefellow'">[2]</a></span> 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.</p>
<p id="p50004004.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004004-1">4 </span>Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004005-1">5 </span>Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; <span class="verse-num" id="v50004006-1">6 </span>do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004007-1">7 </span>And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.</p>
<p id="p50004008.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004008-1">8 </span>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. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004009-1">9 </span>What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.</p>
<h3 id="p50004010.01-1">God's Provision</h3>
<p id="p50004010.03-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004010-1">10 </span>I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004011-1">11 </span>Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004012-1">12 </span>I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004013-1">13 </span>I can do all things through him who strengthens me.</p>
<p id="p50004014.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004014-1">14 </span>Yet it was kind of you to share<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f3" id="b3" title="Or 'have fellowship in'">[3]</a></span> my trouble. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004015-1">15 </span>And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004016-1">16 </span>Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004017-1">17 </span>Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.<span class="footnote"> <a href="#f4" id="b4" title="Or 'I seek the profit that accrues to your account'">[4]</a></span> <span class="verse-num" id="v50004018-1">18 </span>I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004019-1">19 </span>And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004020-1">20 </span>To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.</p>
<h3 id="p50004021.01-1">Final Greetings</h3>
<p id="p50004021.03-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004021-1">21 </span>Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. <span class="verse-num" id="v50004022-1">22 </span>All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.</p>
<p id="p50004023.01-1"><span class="verse-num" id="v50004023-1">23 </span>The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. (<a href="http://www.esv.org" class="copyright">ESV</a>)</p>
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<h3>Footnotes</h3>
<p><span class="footnote"><a href="#b1" id="f1">[1]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">4:1</span> Or <em>brothers and sisters</em>; also verses 8, 21
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<span class="footnote"><a href="#b2" id="f2">[2]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">4:3</span> Or <em>loyal Syzygus</em>; Greek <em>true yokefellow</em>
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<span class="footnote"><a href="#b3" id="f3">[3]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">4:14</span> Or <em>have fellowship in</em>
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<span class="footnote"><a href="#b4" id="f4">[4]</a></span> <span class="footnote-ref">4:17</span> Or <em>I seek the profit that accrues to your account</em>
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4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I like this very familiar passage because it reminds me of several basic things, that I need to hear each and every day:
* Rejoice in the LORD! He is my God, my Saviour, my provision, my king! How can I not rejoice in his goodness to me? There is no qualifier placed on rejoicing in him; I am exhorted to find my joy in him in whatever circumstances I find myself. And just to be clear: This is not an executive order to “suck it up” when we are in the depths of despair, but a loving reminder to us from our Heavenly Father that he is sufficient for whatever this life throws our way.
* Let your GENTLENESS be evident to all. My er, gentleness has been anything but of late, I am ashamed to say. Some versions refer to this word as forbearance, or patience. I can always use more of this, and let’s just say there are four little people and one big people whom I live with that would not mind seeing a bit more gentleness from yours truly!
* The admonition to refrain from being anxious carries with it a precious promise: that the PEACE OF GOD which passes all understanding will further guard my heart and mind in Christ.
* A reminder to choose to PRAY instead of fretting, to bring to God both our concerns and our thanks! Pray instead of worrying!! Pour out your heart full of concerns to him! And THANK HIM for that peace which he alone can bring into the darkest of situations.
February 26th, 2009 at 11:56 am
These are great reminders, Tricia. I