“…And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7, NKJV).
“…And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19, NKJV).
Notice how these two sentences are in the same chapter of Philippians? God’s peace will guard your heart… He shall supply all your need. Peace is just that, one of your greatest needs. Really, we need peace more than we need that new smart phone or that trendy pair of shoes. Immeasurably more. We need peace more than a ticket to that next exciting event. We need peace more than we need to know how the future is going to work out. We really, really need peace.
He will supply this need. And He will supply it according to His riches in glory. In other words, His provision will flow out of His infinite heavenly resource of peace. Infinite. There is no lack in heaven. Most especially, there is no lack of peace. God has boundless peace. Peace with no limits. Peace with no end. Peace that super-abounds. Peace like a river from the throne of God is what He has for you.
However, if we are going to tap into His provision, we need to notice one more verse from this chapter that ties in here: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8, NKJV).
We have a part to play in this equation. Correctly selecting the objects of our meditation is absolutely essential for walking in peace. What are we filling our minds with? What is the main input coming in? Do we need to detox from the news media for a while? What voices are informing and shaping our thought life?
If we make sure and run our main input sources by Holy Spirit’s checklist of qualities here – true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, praiseworthy – what will we find? Will they pass His litmus test?
If we want to get serious about growing in the spiritual fruit of peace, we need to think about what we are thinking about. Directly following the instruction to keep our thoughts on uplifting, godly, lifegiving subject matter, we come to this promise: “…and the God of peace will be with you” (v. 9).
In a world as tumultuous as ours has become, I have a feeling it’s time to get aggressive about disciplining our thought life. How else are we going to flourish during this intense chapter of history?
As we run after God’s thoughts with all our hearts, He will supply all our need. He will pour out to us His abundance of peace.
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Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has thoughts of peace. Are those kinds of peaceful thoughts within reach for you and me?
What is your “Peace-o’-Meter” reading today? Have you had a chance to stop and meet with the One who loves you best?
Feeding On Jesus 
Thank you, Jennifer, for this very important message. Yes, we need peace. Today’s pace of life and the constant bombardment of political animosity are peace defeaters of the first sort. But, Jesus is the source of our peace if we just ask Him for it, and then we have to actively receive it. It is interesting that you would mention detoxing from the news media for a time. That’s something I decided to do just a few days ago. Thanks again, for your message of peace.
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Smiling at how the Holy Spirit works. Thank you so much for sharing that, Ed! It’s a delight to hear from you on here, thank you!
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The Holy Spirit must be trying to tell me something. Just read Steve Simms blog talking about mental discipline. Thanks for being on the right page!
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Thank You Holy Spirit! I love how He confirms His Word so generously to us!
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I dig this post, Jennifer. Yes, peace can be so elusive in our daily walk. But, it’s there. We need to remember to lean in to Jesus and lean on the Holy Spirit. Thanks for this encouraging reminder.
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Aw, your comment makes me smile! Thank you so much, Rainer 🙂 🙂
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You’re welcome!
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🙂 🙂
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Isn’t it amazing how He can supply all the needs for everyone on the planet!
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Absolutely breathtaking! Thank you, Barb 🤗
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Grace is God’s response to our needs. In proportion to our need is the measure of His Grace. How good are His Ways.
BT
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Soooo, soooo good. Thank you, BT!
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Thank you, Jennifer, for linking verse 7 to verse 8; yes, if we think about the kinds of things in verse 8, we will have more peace.
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You are most welcome, Keith! May the Father help us meditate more and more on His thoughts. (Slow in replying because I’ve been visiting my family in the U.S.)
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