BLESSED INDEED 2

Philippians 4:6-7 (NET)
Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.
And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Many believers treat some of the Lord’s command more lightly than others. A good example is the one in today’s Bible verses, which is actually an echo of the Lord’s teaching in Matthew 6. See what the Lord says there:

Matthew 6:25(ESV)
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

We saw yesterday that believers who walk in the physical manifestation of their spiritual blessings are those who live in obedience to the commands of the Lord. There are dimensions of the blessings activated as we understand and obey certain principles of our Lord. For example, those who understand and obey the Lord’s principle of honor receive favor, have prosperity and would live long.

That is why the command that we should honor our parents is the first that comes with a promise– the promise of long life and prosperity (see Eph 6:1-3).

The command of the Lord that instructs us not to be anxious is the one that activates the Shalom (peace) of God in our lives when we obey it. Peace for us believers is not just the absence of turbulence, but a spiritual power (see Luke 10:6) that causes things to work properly [in your favor].

Go into today remembering that anxiety is a thief that hinders God’s people from walking in the blessing of God’s peace. The easiest way to deal with this thief is to pray until it leaves and your peace returns.