Vs 4 gets me, because we must be full of the joy of the Lord... always. I don't know about you, but there are days when the last thing I want to be is joyful or happy. It's just not gonna happen. But then joy isn't peachy happiness. Biblical joy is defined as steadfast contentment. Now that is something that is more likely, but still hard. To be content always is really hard, especially when there is so much junk going on in the world. But I don't think it's content with the situation you're in, because if we were all just content all the time, nothing would change or get any better. There needs to be some level of discontent with how the world is, before we'll do anything about it. I think the kind of contentment is knowing that God is enough and everything you need - to not strive to prove yourself, but to be in His presence and love, and pouring that out to others. We feel truly fulfilled when we express God's love to others.
Vs 6 points out that we should tell God what we need, thanking God for all He has done. I think this is more for our benefit than God's, because when we actually start thinking about all that God has done, we see just how faithful He has been and how consistently He has come through for us. This boosts our faith and we realize again that we can trust Him. Then we stop worrying. So worrying is basically as a result of not trusting God completely. He explains how we counter this - pray about everything, tell Him what you need, and thank Him for all He's done.
It's interesting that in vs 7, it says that after doing that, and placing your trust in God, then you'll experience His amazing peace which blows our minds. So often we ask for peace for the situation we're in, but we don't trust God with it, and are confused when we don't get the peace we were hoping and longing for. God has this amazing peace available to us, and He's told us that it comes from trusting Him completely. That amazing wholeness and completeness comes from trusting Him and resting in Him. The end of that verse is interesting: 'His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus'. Ever wondered how to avoid getting hurt? Let God guard your heart and mind with His peace, which comes from not worrying and trusting Him with everything. We're also called to live in Christ - it involves us loving God and loving others. It's active, not passive.
Vs 8 challenges us about what we think about. Our minds are the filter to our hearts. What we allow into our minds and think about will affect our hearts. And out of our hearts, we speak and act. People can see what you believe by how you live your life. You can say you love God, but your life should reflect it. You become what you behold. If you think about God and the things listed in this verse, your heart will become more like that, and you will start speaking and acting more like that too. The opposite is true as well.
I like that in vs 9 it says 'heard from me and saw me doing', because it shows so clearly that the gospel is not just works and not just deeds - both need to go hand in hand, else it is ineffective. You can tell someone that God loves them until you are blue in the face, but until they experience God's love for themselves, they won't get it. You can love people with actions, but unless you tell them the reason for your love is God's love, you're just another do-gooder. Both are vitally import parts of who Jesus was. He loved people, and taught people. When people see what you say match up with what you do, it has so much more impact, and they really pay attention. Vs 9 also places emphasis on putting into practice what you've learned. Often we read all these amazing inspirational books, but then we don't do anything with what we've learned. Knowledge must lead to action. In this sense, ignorance is bliss, because once you know something, you have a responsibility to share that and do something about it.
Vs 13 is the much quoted verse of doing everything in God's strength, but is often applied too liberally. The verses leading up to it give it a completely different spin. They talk about being content with whatever you have - being able to live with nothing and with everything, being hungry or full. Paul says that he has 'learned the secret of living in every situation', meaning that he has had plenty of experience and can get by, with Christ's strength. This is a challenge to us, who may complain about small things when life is going well, or big things when it's not. To be able to be content in all circumstances, is to have joy in all circumstances, which can only come from God's strength.
I pray that God would teach you what it means to live with joy in His presence every day, despite what circumstances you find yourself in. He is faithful, and His unfailing love endures forever. Trust in Him, and live in the amazing peace He has to offer.
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