Pondering His Holy Word

Philippians 4:11-13

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 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. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paul’s epistle to the Philippians is part of a collection called The Prison Epistles because he wrote them during the two years he was under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30-31). As he wrote this letter, he reflected on all his circumstances: abundance and need, fullness and hunger, quenched and thirsty, warm and cold. He expressed the secret of facing these circumstances. Whatever circumstances that he was in, he was to be content. 

This contentment is not from the world which comes and goes with circumstances and is tossed to and fro like waves. Paul was describing the peace that comes from Jesus Christ. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27). 

Before Paul reached this point, he encouraged the church at Philippi to “Rejoice in the Lord always” and he said, “not be anxious about anything, but in everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God” (Philippian 4:4-6). Jesus tells us not to be anxious about our life, what we will eat or what we will drink, nor about our body, what we put on (Matthew 6:25). 

He leaves us with His peace. This peace is not found within our humanity. Otherwise, we would face hopelessness and despair. The peace that He gives us is a supernatural peace that comes from the Holy Spirit. He did not learn this by his own ability, but through Christ who gave him strength. 

Jesus, our Lord and Savior, gave us this same peace. In all situations (good, bad, and ugly), you have peace that can only come from Christ. In our Lord and Savior, you can be content when things are bad and when you are on the brink of a breakdown and wondering how this storm will pass. We should keep our eyes on Christ because (like Peter) the moment we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on the stormy water, we will begin to sink (Matthew 14:22-31). Have peace and be content in the Lord of Creation through whom and by whom all things were made.