Phil. 4:2-9; Joshua 1:5-9, Peace (3)

Phil. 4:8-9 have to do with where we set out minds.  They tell us how to be sure the God of peace is with us.  Let us remember: having God with does not refer to His static presence with us.  It means He is at work in us.  It is an experience where God’s work in us to will and do His good pleasure (2:13) is bearing fruit.

·        4:8: Enjoying an effective relationship with the God of peace depends on good meditations.  This was the prayer of David in Ps. 19:14: Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, o Lord my strength and my redeemer.  Certainly good “meditations” involve the word of God.  Joshua was told to meditate on God’s word day and night (Josh. 1:8).  The righteous man does the same (Ps. 1:2).  On the other hand the same word is used in Ps. 2:1 when it asks, why do the people imagine a vain thing?  Our minds will be elsewhere throughout the day and we need to know that it is being filled with good and not with vanity.  Paul gives us eight terms to elevate our meditations so that the God of peace will be with us.  As we give brief definitions the need is for us to ask God to help us apply these things to the movies we watch, books we read, restaurants we frequent, topics of conversations and so forth.  Especially think about relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ as we are still in the context of being in the same mind in the Lord.

o   True: in line with reality; sincere, not hypocritical.

o   Noble: having serious purpose; inspiring awe and reverence.

o   Just: without prejudice or partiality; according to rule, justice.

o   Pure: not contaminated/mixed with evil.

o   Lovely: tends towards brotherly love; pleasing, agreeable.

o   Good report: speaks well of others.

o   Virtue: having a high view of a person, thing or subject.

o   Praiseworthy: a term used both of God and men.

·        4:9: Enjoying an effective relationship with the God of peace depends on good models.  This is amazing! Paul, with a straight face, without fear of hypocrisy, can say this of himself to these dear brothers and sisters: do what I do and say!  The NT frequently speaks of good examples to follow (e.g. 3 Jn. 9-12; 2 Tim. 1:13-18).  To understand why this is important observe the following about what it means for the God of peace to be with you:

o   Rom. 16:20: the God of peace is the One who will crush Satan.

o   1 Thess. 5:23: the God of peace is the One who will sanctify you.

o   2 Thess. 3:16: the God of peace is the One who will give you peace at all times and in all ways.

o   Heb. 13:2: the God of peace is the One who will equip you for good works and work in us what is pleasing to Him!

It will be so as we set our affections on what is good and godly!