No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15: 15, NKJV).
Our Father in heaven; Gracious God, we enter Your Presence with thanksgiving and praise. Please help us to be renewed as we embrace the promises found in Your Holy Word. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
This is our third day in the study of this precious hymn. I have been blessed by the discovery of some wonderful nuggets of love and grace that are tucked in here.
Today we are going to study for a few minutes the sentiments of the first half of the second stanza:
“Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged; Take it to the Lord in prayer!
If you are thinking the way I am, looking at these words you may be saying to yourself, “Easier said than done!” Never be discouraged? In this world of chaos and madness and evil all around? But the author of this hymn may have discovered something that we might want to tap into. Let us look to Scripture for help in our search.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4: 6, 7).
This is a powerful verse! And it sounds very much like the advice of the author of our hymn under consideration. Let us look at the two statements side by side to capture the similitude: “We should never be discouraged”. “Be anxious for nothing”. In other words, let nothing rob you of your peace! How do I do this we ask? This is the advice of the author: “Take it to the Lord in prayer!”
Yesterday we spoke about the privilege of prayer. I believe that, until we embrace and internalize the idea of prayer as a privilege, we will continue to overlook the most powerful weapon against depression, disappointment!
Remember the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5?
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” Emphasis provided.
Indeed, it is our privilege to wield the sword of prayer and by faith cast down the thoughts that the evil one puts in our minds, and bring every thought into the obedience of Christ! Hallelujah!
So what would the thoughts of Jesus, that would replace the thoughts of the evil one look like? Listen: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4: 8, 9. Emphasis provided.).
You no longer need to forfeit your peace! Have a blessed and peace-filled day!
We will continue this conversation.