The saints in Christ Jesus, at Philippi, were dearly beloved by Paul. He calls them his dear friends, his beloved. He had them on his mind and in his heart as he suffered and preached the gospel. They were his partners in the gospel, and his affection for them was that of Christ Jesus (Php 1:3-8; 2:12 et al.).

Paul, as a prisoner, writes them to encourage them against the four thieves of joy in this world: things, people, circumstances, and worry. These four things are often the source of anxiety. In this letter he gives them a very short and clear message in Php 4:5: The Lord is near. Paul didn’t minimize the facts of life in this world, but he deliberately puts them in perspective with this simple and short statement: The Lord is near. A brother here, Lou David, reminded us Wednesday night of this same beautiful message in a song we sang:

 

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

 

When my way growth drear, precious Lord linger near,

When my life is almost gone; Hear my cry, hear my call, hold my hand lest I fall;

 

When the shadows appear, and the night draweth near, And the day is past and gone; At the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand;

 

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand,

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn, Thru the storm, thru the night, lead me on to the light;

Take my hand, precious Lord, Lead me home.

 

Peace,

Jay Don

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