Philippians 4:6 is one of those verses which many Christians have hidden in their hearts. It is Paul the Apostles version of 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.”
We find Paul once again in prison for preaching the Gospel. He has written this letter to the Philippians so that they will not lose hope in Christ, because of the situation in which Paul finds himself.
Let’s think about what is going on by imagining ourselves as part of a possible conversation between two first century new believers in the city of Philippi:
Philippian Citizen #1: “I’m sure thankful to have read that letter Paul sent to the church which gathers at Lydia’s home.”
Citizen #2: “It seems like it was just yesterday since Paul came to deliver the Gospel message to us. But it has been several years since Paul and Silas, two powerful men of God, entered into our city of Philippi. Many of us were excited to hear Paul recount his vision of a Macedonian man begging him to come shine some light upon the true God of creation. Remember how Lydia, the wealthy garment merchant, believed upon Jesus immediately at the preaching of Paul and Silas. She insisted that his team stay at her house and use it as a base to further spread the Truth of Jesus Christ. Lydia provided for their financial needs including all of Paul’s helpers, even that young minister Timothy, because she testified that Jesus placed them all in her heart.”
Citizen #1: “Yes, and I will not forget how Paul withstood the crooked merchants, which used that young psychic girl’s ventriloquism to make the clay statues appear to talk. Then they sold the statues to the unwary people as if these manmade idols were gods. Those merchants became very angry when their trickery was exposed, so angry that they brought charges against Paul and Silas. Even though Paul and Silas were innocent, the government leaders still threw them in jail, so the deceitful merchants would stop their rioting.”
Citizen #2: “Yeah, but God still had more work for Paul and Silas. It’s burnt in my memory how God used Paul and Silas even in prison to testify to criminals of the grace of God. I recall the witnesses’ testimony about the earthquake that followed Paul and Silas’ prayer and singing, how that their bands fell off and the door opened. What really amazed the other prisoners is that neither Paul nor Silas left. Paul and Silas simply called out to the jailer to stop him from committing suicide. This was so the governors would not kill the jailer’s family for his failure to prevent an escape. The jailer was so amazed by their concern for him that he took them home, fed them and treated their wounds. Like Lydia, the jailer and all his family believed in Jesus, because of these men living the Gospel. I’ll bet the jailer snickered when the sheriff had to let them go because Paul and many of his friends were Roman citizens.”
Citizen #1: Isn’t it ironic that Paul is in prison again, but this time it’s a Roman prison with little chance of pardon!
Citizen #2: Yet through it all Paul’s faith is amazing, he said that Caesar was contemplating having him executed. I suppose the only reason Caesar is keeping Paul alive is because he is enjoying all the attention Caesar himself is getting by having Paul under his thumb. Paul said that he was at peace with it either way. How was it he said it in that letter? Oh yeah, I remember he wrote; For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. I almost hate to say it considering Paul’s circumstances, but he sure has a gift for turning a phrase. Here Paul is imprisoned, facing death and he is still comforting us with his words. So many times has Paul warned us of false teachings and false persecutions to come. I think Paul uses our mutual experiences when he was at Philippi, as a lesson for us to follow his example of faith. It must be Paul’s humble way of letting us know that God is in charge and he is submissive to the Lord’s will. He believes that his afflictions and ours are happening so that the Gospel will continue to spread, just as it did during the persecution of Daniel’s time. Paul even said: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
Citizen # 1: Out of all the things Paul told us in his letter, the one I cherish the most is when Paul instructed us on how to win the battle with fear or anxiety, caused by our circumstances. I’ve already memorized it and it goes like this:
Philippians 4:6-7
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
(KJV)