Phillipians 4:9

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

            This is amazing verse in and of itself, but it becomes even more fascinating when studied in light of the verses prior to it. Verses 6 and 7 say “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.”  God tells us that when we are anxious we should turn to Him and He will give us His peace.  Now only two verses later, Paul is saying do as I do and again peace will be with you.  This is truly amazing.  Just two verses earlier Paul says turn to God and be at peace and now he’s saying follow after what I do and be at peace.  So which is it?  It is both.  Paul is saying follow after me as I follow after Christ.  When Paul was anxious he quieted his soul before the Almighty and was at peace.  He is telling us to do the same.  This, again, is a massive challenge.  We should be able to look at those around us and say do as I do. Not do as I say, but do as I do.  This means in all circumstances and at all times.  What a seemingly impossible burden, and yet it is what God calls us to.  But it is not a burden at all.  It is a gift!  How great of a gift is it that the God of all the universe, would say you get to be my image bearers.  That he would say to me, a lowly sinner, you go out and be my ambassador.  He doesn’t need me, at all.  In the words of Spurgeon, if He but stamps his foot He can convert all the world, and yet He allows me to preach His word.  What joy! What a gift!  May we never take it for granted.  Let us go out to the whole world and say look at what Christ has done in me!  Look who He is and what He is still doing!  Look at how great my God is!  This is the cry of my heart.