Joyful. Gentleness. The Promise He is Near.
I hope that you are resting in the comfort and promises of Philippians 4. The next sentence in that powerful passage is:
Days of rejoicing. Living our days with gentleness. Knowing that the Lord is always near us. That is what God describes in Philippians 4. He is so very good to us.
In this lonely, uncertain, scary year, God is near. God calls us to rejoice and to be gentle. He comforts us with His presence.
When Paul spoke to the people of Athens in Acts 17, he told them:
. . . He is not far from each one of us . . .
Acts 17:27
The writer of Psalm 73 wrote:
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.
Psalm 73:28
God yearns for us to make Him our refuge. We see evil around us, but God’s Word teaches us:
Submit therefore to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
James 4:7-8a
One of the blessings that homeschooling gives to children is their mama’s presence. That presence gives them a picture of what God offers to us all.
The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5b
This week I am writing from the following passage in Philippians 4. It is a passage I read every day. The encouragement and the promises are very sweet. Here it is, if you would like to read all six verses.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9