Here's another promise many try to claim . . . . without the condition. "God has offered me His peace, and I'm claiming it now. After all, Philippians 4:7 promises,
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
But such peace escapes you as you continue to be besieged by worry and fear.
Why? Because peace isn't dropped in a bundle from heaven by parachute. Peace is a byproduct—the promised result following our fulfilling our part of the process. And what is that?
When answering such questions, always go back to the context in which you found the promise, in this case Philippians 4. Notice that just before the promise of peace is the condition on which that promise is based:
"Be anxious for nothing [in other words, stop worrying about anything], but in everything by prayer and supplication [in addition, start praying about everything] with thanksgiving [and don't forget to be thankful in all things] let your requests be made known to God. And . . .
The equation would look like this:
Absence of worry + Prevalence of prayer + Spirit of gratitude = Peace of God
Don't be afraid of God's not keeping His promises. He has and He will continue to do so. But make an intelligent and careful study of the one(s) you choose to claim. Be certain they are rightfully yours.
Taken from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. www.thomasnelson.com
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
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