Tuesday: Rejoice in the Lord—Always
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 10th of February 2026
Read Philippians 4:4-7. How are we to experience “the peace of God”?
After touching on, again, the need for unity (Philippians 4:1-3), Paul moves on to another theme: rejoicing in the Lord (Philippians 4:4-7).
How many times have you been stressed over things that ultimately melted effortlessly away as quickly as they appeared? For good reason, Jesus repeatedly emphasized that we should not worry (see Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 10:19), and Peter reminds us that we can cast all our worries or anxieties (ESV) on the Lord, “because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, ESV). In fact, the increasing problems worldwide should inspire us with hope that the coming of the Lord is near (compare Matthew 24:33, Luke 21:28, James 5:8).
Image © Graham Braddock at Goodsalt.com
The antidote to anxiety in everything, including every situation, is sending up a prayer of faith (Philippians 4:6-7). Clearly, we are to believe and act on our prayer as having been answered even before we see its realization, because we are to pray “with thanksgiving.” Also added is the word “supplication” (Greek: deēsis), signaling times of extremity and urgency (see, for example, Luke 1:13, Philippians 1:19, 1 Timothy 5:5, James 5:16). Our prayers are still “requests,” but we can know our petitions have been received as long as we ask “according to His will” (1 John 5:14, NKJV). Then we can rest and have peace, knowing that all our requests are in God’s hands.
How do the following passages enlarge our understanding of God’s peace? Psalms 29:11, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:14, John 14:27, 1 Corinthians 14:33.
God’s peace is something the world can never give, because God’s peace comes from the assurance that we have the gift of eternal life through Jesus our Savior (Romans 5:1, Romans 6:23). This peace impacts every aspect of life and “surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7, NKJV). It cannot be grasped by the mind alone, as the Greek word nous (minds) used here indicates.
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How would you describe to someone what it means to experience “the peace of God”? |
Readers will know that Carmel my wife was a primary teacher in our Seventh-day Adventist Schools. She loved teaching. One of the features of her classroom was that in the afternoon when the students were doing crafty things, the students would often spontaneously start singing the songs they had had for worship. Someone would start singing, and gradually the whole class would join in together as they did their work.
This is the sort of Christian community I want to belong to; where we work together joyfully. Happiness is a very powerful witness. Sometimes we are so serious about our Christianity we leave the joy out of it.
Even the Psalmist knew the importance of happy praise:
What a great note to finish on!
“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, NLT).
One thing that I discovered many years ago is that no matter how well I think I have sorted stuff in my life, suddenly there is something that somehow disturbs my in peace. The Word of God does not provide an imaginary world where there is no pain, suffering or anxiety. However, it signposts us to where our hearts can obtain peace and hope – “in Christ Jesus”. This is one of the reasons why I am a Christian. God’s peace does not eradicate pain and suffering from my life. Actually, peace and suffering co-exist in my life. But God’s peace has got a wonderful effect to calm my troubled soul when I am faced with the uncertainty about the future. Yes, the suffering and pain goes on, but I find the courage and strength to soldier on. There is a kind of steadiness that grips my inner being when things seem to be falling apart. My mind anchors in the assurance that no matter what is going, God is in control.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7
“Peace that passeth all understanding”, is a kind of peace that we humans cannot give to a woman that just lost her child having waited for twelve years to have her, the kind of peace that we could not give to my friend when he lost his wife during childbirth or a young man that Bandits, raided his house in the dead of the night and killed almost all his family members.
In any tragic situation, our duties are limited to: 1, Praying for the Holy Spirit to fill the grieving heart(s) with this kind of peace of Christ that passeth all human understanding. And
2, Be ready to assist anyway we can individually or collectively as a church to alleviate the pains.
We have a practical example of the command to “rejoice in the Lord-always” in Acts 5:40-42 “40. And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
42. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
If the Apostles rejoiced in the face of persecution, we too can rejoice when it’s all rosy and when it’s all gloomy with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Everyone wants peace, from world leaders to local ones, businessmen as they face daily pressures, professionals in meeting deadlines at the place of work, at home as we bring up children, or even students struggling through the semester. All these people need peace. Thus, people have gone to different heights and limits to find peace, but unfortunately we end up experiencing more and more stress than peace. Our days are like that of prophet Jeremiah when people cried, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14). With domestic violence at an all-time high, cities highly modernised yet the streets are unsafe. Communication technology has really been improved; however, misunderstandings are rampant. As a result, anxiety rules right even in church.
Paul points out that rejoicing has a cause-effect relationship, for after trusting Him in prayer we reduce our stress. Prayer is the cause and the effect is peace — “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6–7). Prayer and then peace. My prayer is that I start taking three doses daily found in Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” For my troubles are more spiritual and than physical, what I need as an individual is peace the world can’t give or take away from me. I must receive and experience the Prince of Peace daily.
On Tuesday , why is there so much anxiety in the world and what can we who seek peace of mind do. God will answer our prayers.but how do we loose the state of anxiety? As a health evangelist I know that the lack of minerals also causes this. We can bath in Epsom salts for one. Let our healing be both physical and spiritual
A thankful and forgiving attitude is the best way to start a new day. God’s mercy renews every morning! So should our minds be. Constant prayer and rejoicing in the Lord is the best medicine against the anxieties and troubles of this world.
I would describe the peace of God to someone like this -It is the “eye” in the middle of a ferocious hurricane, where all is calm and peaceful.
Even the word peace sounds beautiful and to experience it even in the face of crises comes through that abiding presence of the Hoky Ghost. Thank God He has not left us without a Comforter for He is The only One who can in this chaotic world we are navigating.
Prayer is like the prodigal coming home (Luke 15:21–23). When we stop striving and place everything in the Father’s hands, the peace of God follows (Philippians 4:6–7).
The peace of God is often understood in the spiritual sense. But,the peace of God is also practical to real life situations. We need peace in order to survive the turmoil in the world. When we have peace here on earth, it solidifies our peace in eternal life. It is possible to have peace on earth while anticipating the peace of eternal life. We live in a world where peace is highly sought after but it is unattainable or fleeting. This is because the peace the world is chasing after is ilusive.
that peace is the one we need
Answering today’s question: “How would you describe to someone what it means to experience “the peace of God”? Addressing a believer or a non-believer, I would say:
What comes to mind when one thinks of Jesus? How do we feel – thanksgiving, joy or trepidation? Thanksgiving and joy just for knowing Him and being known by Him, or trepidations when thinking of failures to meet His ‘expectations’?
Each day – all day – present occasions to be thankful by remembering who it is that we thank for and in everything we encounter. Joy comes to the heart because Thankfulness brings peace to our heart and mind. We know that our Savior lives, always guiding and protecting us by the Holy Spirit within – 1Thess.5:18.
Yes, ‘the Peace of God which passes understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’! It is imperative that we believe this to be God’s Truth, and by giving Thanks in all things it will direct our attention to the Giver of Peace and Light – the Giver of Grace and Mercy –, so preventing us from self-pity when disappointed – Heb.12:2.
To remember and do this always keeps our heart and mind ready to proclaim our heartfelt ‘thankfulness’ in all things. Our heavenly Father in Jesus Christ promised not to forsake us if we abide in Him. Neglecting to maintain a ‘thankful heart and mind’ will soon lead to being overcome and burdened by the ways of the world – John 16:32-33.