Explore the Bible: October 3

Joy Through Peace • Philippians 4:1-9

By Don Hicks

The memory verse suggested for this lesson is, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6 CSB). Worrying will rob you of both peace and joy. If we trust God we can: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 CSB).

The Apostle Paul concludes his teaching on how to attain peace and joy and rejoice always: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true… whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8 KJV), so let’s let our minds think of pure and lovely memories and plans.

I want to prime the pump for pure and lovely thoughts and memories. See if you have any experiences similar to these:

— I enjoy taquitos and remember the first time I had them. It was September 28, 1968. My best girl and I ate supper at A & W Root Beer in Roswell, New Mexico. Then, we went to the fair for the evening. Before the evening was out, my best girl was my fiancée.

We made a late night coffee trip to Denny’s and told my future in-laws of our plans to marry, and they clearly told us they were happy and agreed with our plan. In my life, this qualifies as a lovely thing of good report.

— Many times those lovely experiences happened in the beautiful outdoor areas of Mississippi. One autumn daybreak I was sitting in the woods with my son watching a field full of robins. Suddenly the robins all flushed and flew away.

The reason for their startled, rapid departure became clear in just a moment. A small, beautiful red fox came trotting across the field with the sun reflecting off of its bright shiny red coat. I truly believe the red fox is one of God’s prettiest creations.

Another Mississippi outdoor memory is in the cool of the evening beside a small peaceful lake. I was fishing with my daughter when I saw pure joy in her face as she caught a nice-size brim. This allowed for one of my all-time favorite pictures.

— God’s loving provision is beautifully evident in the birth of puppies and kittens when the mother nuzzles, cleans, cares for, and nurses her babies. Have you ever had the excitement of watching a newborn calf or colt awkwardly get to its feet, walk to its mother, and nurse for the first time?

— Of even more significance, many of you reading this lesson preview have been present for your own child’s birth. Some of my children were born in Jackson, and some in Fort Worth. Over those 16 years and across that nearly 500 miles and three different hospitals, many details changed but the significance of God’s blessing and care remained consistent and it brings peace that only He can bring.  

Paul tells us, “whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things.  Do what you have learned and heard from me, and the God of peace will be with you” Philippians (4:8c-9 CSB).

Let’s look at the part of Paul’s doctrine where he says, “if there is any moral excellence.” First,we take note that there is moral excellence. Jesus identifies in Matthew’s Gospel that morality hangs on the two greatest commandments: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV).

The Ten Commandments in Exodus chapter 20 give more detailed guidance on how to apply the love commandments from the Gospel of Matthew. During the 16 years from the time my first child was born until my last child was born, sonograms came into common use. I knew my fourth child was a boy long before he was born. Using sonograms, we now know in a more demonstrative way that the baby’s God-given life and personality begin at conception.

Therefore, we can see that abortion violates commandment six of the Decalogue and will interrupt joy through peace with God. Using similar logic, committing adultery will interrupt our peace with God. Sexual activity outside of the marriage of one man to one woman interrupts the joy God wants us to have.

Hicks is missions director for Jasper Association in Bay Springs. He may be contacted at donaldwhicks@gmail.com.