Video Points

• The Lord is enthroned as King forever.
• Nothing in all the world will change that fact.
• The Lord gives strength and peace to His people.

Memory Verse

“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:10-11

Today’s Reading

Philippians 1:3-17, 4:4-9

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Devotion

Incomprehensible Peace

Quarantine, confinement, doing time—no one likes those. Paul, however, remained positive during his house arrest. A veteran of beatings, imprisonment, and riots, Paul knew how to be both chained and joyful.

Paul passed along to the Philippians (and to you) God’s plan for positive thinking: Be joyful and gentle with others. Trust your anxieties about the future to the Father in prayer. Thank Him for the good things He’s given even as you bring Him your requests. That provides fertile ground for the Father to grow the fruit of His Spirit in you, His incomprehensible peace side by side with inexplicable joy.

Regardless of circumstances, Paul wanted believers to think well, to take thoughts captive so that the God of peace would remain in their midst. Clear reasoning includes, as Eugene Peterson renders Paul’s words, whatever proves “true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious,” so that beautiful, praiseworthy thoughts, words, and actions become the norm.

Do you have a regular place to bring your requests and even disappointments to God and absorb His good words for you? Can you find joy amid your tough circumstances and face them for Jesus’ sake? If you can think clearly and trust the Father, He can handle the debris of the storm that’s swirling all around and bring you peace.

Questions for Thought

1. In what areas of life do you feel weakest? Ask the Lord for strength.
2. What things make you anxious in life? Ask the Lord for peace.
3. Are there things that have you doubting and confused? Ask the Lord to give you assurance.