“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)
Resolutions are like noses and opinions, everyone has them. Yes, you have a resolution even if it is to not make any. What you resolve depends on your unique situation. What is it you want to achieve in 2012? What changes would you like to make in 2012?
Too many times we choose unrealistic goals and our resolutions are not pursued beyond January. In today’s passage, the great Apostle gives us three resolutions by which we should order our lives. Don’t worry about it. Pray about it. Give thanks to God.
Paul’s point? Make our requests to the one who is able to supply them. So, 2012 can be a year of presenting our needs to God, then patiently watching him supply them all. Usually, our resolutions concern a personal need. A mere mantra of positive affirmation isn’t true presentation of need. And Paul’s method isn’t a license for laziness. God is not to be mocked by a welfare attitude.
Paul says, “Be careful for nothing.” He is not demanding an absence of concern. But, he is teaching us to present our worries to God. “By prayer and supplication.” Pray about the issues, which concern us. Supplication is an old worship term, which means to beg, plead, or implore in prayer. So, Paul says, plead with God to respond to your concerns. Nothing is to be withheld from God. Bring every issue of our lives before him in faith. And we know that “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11:6 KJV)
Finally, “with thanksgiving” shows us the proper attitude of presentation. When we present our concerns, issues, and needs before God, we must do so with a thankful heart and spirit. Thankful that he is concerned about us. Thankful that he allows us to present our needs. Thankful that he hears us. Thankful that he responds. Thankful that he turns our resolutions into achievement. Thankful that he gives us peace over it all.
Dear Father, thank you for this new year of 2012. Empower us with resolve to bring all our needs to you. Grant to us the peace that preserves our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This I pray in his holy name. AMEN
Be courageous today in all your resolutions,