August 26, 2016: Day 89 – Philippians 4

This chapter helps us to understand why this is the epistle of joy.  Over and over again Paul encourages the church in Philippi to rejoice.  In fact, vs.4 is such a well known verse that there is a song that was quite popular some time ago with this verse as its main lyric.  Here’s a clip of it.  Yeah, it’s a kid’s song.  But I like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzyckxqXoZ4

This chapter also contains a memory verse which every single kid who ever went to VBS at one time or another memorized.  Look at Philippians 4:13 and you will find one of my favorite memory verses.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

This is such a great verse to guide our lives.  Whenever we feel that we are not able to do anything, we can hear the words of Paul that remind us that we can do all things.  Each time that we might be told that we are not worthy or able to do that which we think we ought to be able to do, then we are reminded of God’s promise that we can do all things.  What a great verse.

If you go back to vs.8-9 I see this as a wonderful benediction to allow the congregation to go out into the world with a real guiding principle on how to live our lives.  We are to pursue that which is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable then it is on these things that you ought to focus on.  It is a great benediction.  These are great verses to read right before you leave your home to go out into the world.  

This marks the end of Philippians, but not of our 90 Day Challenge II.  We have one more of Paul’s letters to look at and then we will complete this series.