by Pastor Rich Carlson

The last half of Paul’s letter to the believers in Philippi is full of rejoicing. Paul uses the word over and over again. So what is involved with this thing called rejoicing?

Here are some verses that help us understand it:

• "Let your gentleness be evident to all" (4:5).
• "Do not be anxious about anything" (4:6).
• Pray about everything (4:6).
• Don’t forget to thank Him (4:6).
• "Think about [these] things": (4:8)
  • "whatever is true"
  • "whatever is noble"
  • "whatever is right"
  • "whatever is pure"
  • "whatever is lovely"
  • "whatever is admirable"
  • whatever is "excellent or praiseworthy."

If the only part of the Bible I had were these verses I would know how to live for God and how to be happy. They can serve as a measuring stick to help me see if my actions and attitudes are in harmony with God’s plan. Suppose that if, before I said something, did something, or thought something, I first asked myself, "Is this true, noble, right, pure, lovely…?"  I wonder what would happen. No I don’t wonder—I pretty much know.

The letter concludes with "my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (4:19). Not all my wants, but all my needs. The difference between the two words is one of the biggest hurdles to get over in learning how to pray, how to trust, how to understand God’s leading and involvement in my life. He will take care of me and He will meet my needs. Yet the better I get at differentiating between my wants and my needs the happier I’ll be.

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. “God Is Faithful” is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.