“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

If we have experienced peace with God (Romans 5:1), we should avail ourselves of the peace of God in our text. The peace of God is given to quiet the state of our hearts because of circumstances. Our peace is conditioned on the Lord’s presence: “The Lord is at hand,” or near by (Philippians 4:5), making it possible to “rejoice in the Lord alway” (v.4). Obedience in the following areas will produce the desired peace we desperately need.

Pray right: “Be careful [anxious] for nothing” (v.6). The thought is, don’t worry or be anxious, not even in one thing! Worry destroys peace; prayer builds confidence. “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” (vv.6,7). God’s keeping power brings peace to the heart (seat of our emotions) and to the mind (seat of our intellect). We surely need peace in both areas.

Think right: That is, have your mind set on the right things. Give careful reflection to that which is “true . . . honest . . . just . . . pure . . . lovely . . . good report . . . think on these things” (v.8). Peace comes when our mind and heart are set on the right things and the right person (Christ).

Do right: “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do” (v.9). Paul’s example of doing right should encourage us to think and do in the right way also. If we pray right, think right, and do right, we will then feel right, because the “God of peace” is with us (v.9). NPS