I thought I was done with Mother messages, but yesterday I was reminded once again of Philippians 4:6-7 and, once again, I was grieved by the burdens we carry that destroy our peace.
“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.”
Paul wrote this letter from prison while being guarded by Roman guards. Philippi was a Roman military town. So, Romans soldiers were everywhere. Paul is using a military term when He says the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds.
Guard means that military soldiers are protecting from hostile invasion. So, the peace of God is standing guard around our hearts and minds. He has us covered with shield and sword to repel enemies that threaten our peace.
But, who or what are these enemies we are being protected against?
In Philippians 4:6 it is anxiety.
In Isaiah 26:3 it is unbelief.
In Colossians 3:15 it is disunity.
In John 14:27 it is fear.
In Ephesians 3:19 it is emptiness.
Watcht it! There is also a who.
Peter warned us.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (I peter 5:8).
This enemy is trying to lure you into anxiety, unbelief, disunity, fear, and emptiness. But, we are being guarded. This enemy can’t get inside our fortress.
(Unless, we are so foolish as to open the door for him. But that’s another message.)
Why can’t he get inside?
Because, the Son of God came to us for the purpose of destroying the works of the devil (1 John 3:8) and to destroy him (Hebrews 2:14).
So Christ Jesus is our fortress, and we are being guarded by the peace of God from anxiety, unbelief, disunity, fear, and emptiness and the enemy.
Like any responsible inhabitants of a fortress we must do our part. And what is that?
Cast all our burdens, cares, concerns on Jesus because He cares for us. He promised never to leave us or forsake us. We are guarded by the greatest security system in the world.
Dear sister, we are protected, cared for, loved beyond belief. So, be free. Love those around you, care for those around you, forgive those around you, and thank the Son who set you free.
