June 17, 2020

Daily Devotionals

June 17, 2020

Our Peachtree Church email devotionals this week, June 15–19, will all focus on the theme, “God’s Promises.”

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4–7

The promise of God’s peace is certain. It is an unsearchable gift. We cannot understand it. We cannot force it or manufacture it or bargain our way into it. We can only receive and experience that peace. God’s peace is a promised protector, guarding our hearts and minds against anxious habits and against the careless ways we lose our hearts and our minds.

In Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, this peace of God comes as an experience of faith:

Rejoicing in the Lord: We should live with joy, knowing that God is in control of all things as we share and celebrate that joy with others.
Letting your “gentleness” be known to everyone: The Greek word “epieikeia,” which we translate as gentleness, indicates a yielding or a generous kindness, such as Jesus showed to the woman caught in adultery. This action is one of stepping back quietly and trusting that God will fight any battle on our behalf. Because of His might, we can show gentleness.
Believing that the Lord is at hand: God is present; He is HERE. We are not alone in any circumstance. Our anxiety deceives us and makes us believe we have nowhere to turn, no relief in sight. Yet God promises He will never leave us, will never forsake us. He is Emmanuel, “God with us.”
Praying and asking, in a spirit of thanks: God longs for a relationship with us in prayer. He cares about EVERYTHING in our lives, not just SOME things. Everything can be laid at His feet, and He is trustworthy to receive it. When we open our time of prayer in a spirit of gratitude, God’s peace will flood into us, unimpeded by the pressures of this world.

The next time I feel anxious, I should start with this formula: Rejoice, be gentle, believe that God is with me, and give thanks to Him for being my Savior and for wanting to hear my prayers. Then, my heart and mind will be at peace, protected in Him.

For Reflection

What am I anxious about right now?
Can I start talking to God, this very minute, with joy?

When have I experienced God’s true peace?
How do I carry that peace as protection?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, how I love You! How grateful I am that You came into this world for me, that You died for me and rose for me! I thank You for giving me Your Spirit so that I could be comforted and guided. Thank You for hearing the cares of my heart. Take those cares away from me and fill me with Your peace so that I may go forth and share Your promises with others in Your name. Amen.

Mary Hoffman

Senior Music Ministry Director

404-842-5814