December 19
The Benediction
of Peace
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Daily Steps
Having received the promise of spiritual rest (Day 354), the new believer is given this ultimate Final Benediction: the assurance of God's supernatural peace. This passage summarizes the integration of faith and action (Day 350) by instructing us on the practical steps—prayer with thanksgiving—required to access the incomprehensible peace of God that guards our inner life.
The peace in this principle is found in secured tranquility:
The Command Against Anxiety: The instruction is clear and absolute: Do not be anxious about anything. This acknowledges the reality of worry (the temporary, Day 343) but forbids surrender to it. It is a command to self-control (Day 335) over the mind.
The Pathway to Peace: The antidote to anxiety is prayer combined with thanksgiving. In every situation, we are to present our needs (requests) to God. The inclusion of thanksgiving acknowledges God's supremacy (Day 322) and His past faithfulness, preventing prayer from becoming merely a list of demands.
The Resulting Peace: The reward for this trust is immense: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. This peace is supernatural (transcends all understanding). It acts as a divine guard, protecting our emotions (hearts) and thoughts (minds) from the assault of fear and disorder (Day 290).
Your peace is secured by secured tranquility. Embrace Final Benedictions today by choosing prayer with thanksgiving over anxiety in your life's present situation. Trust the Lasting Promise (Day 354) that God's incomprehensible peace will actively stand guard over your mind and heart.
Reflective Question
What is the primary thing that is causing you to be anxious right now? How can you turn that anxiety into an act of prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, trusting that God's peace will guard your mind?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my anxiety and my failure to trust Your sovereignty in all things. I thank You for the promise that Your peace... will guard my heart and mind. I pray for the grace and diligence to reject all anxiety and to bring all my requests to You with thanksgiving. Secure my peace today in this secured tranquility, and let Your peace, which transcends all understanding, be my protection. Amen.
