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By: Gerrit & Judy Bothof
You may listen to this devotion in audio form via podcast here.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
- Philippians 4:9
As some of you may know, I frequent Denny’s restaurant mid-morning most days. I was thinking, what if Jesus and I were there, having a cup of coffee and maybe some breakfast. Conversation would flow easily back and forth about our activities in the past week. As the conversation progresses, it would include a little griping on my part about things out of my control, like politics or the supply chain for things I need for work. Would I tell Jesus my frustration with certain public individuals? Would I get so worked up that I would say, “that blankety-blank%#@! so and so is messing with ours lives!” I don’t know. Would I say, “I’m frustrated to the point of despair and not caring.” Probably. What would he tell me?
I’m not going to speculate, because I know His Word gives me some answers.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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. (v. 4-7)
What a list he gives me (in verse 8) of things to think about!
Finally, brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE—if anything is EXCELLENT or PRAISEWORTHY—think about such things.
Thinking about such things raises my spirits. In 1719 Isaac Watts wrote a versification of Psalm 23 which includes the lines,
“When I walk through the shades of death, your presence is my stay; one word of your supporting breath drives all my fears away.”
“There I would find a settled rest, while others go and come—no more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home.”
Back at Denny’s, Jesus takes a sip of his coffee, looks at me with a twinkle in his eye and says, “whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the peace of God will be with you.”
What a comfort it is to be a child of the Father who has my interests at heart!