4:4
This verse could be accurately described as the leitmotif of this letter, “Rejoice in the Lord, I will say it again: Rejoice!”. Remember that Paul was under pressure. He was in captivity with a possible death sentence hanging over him. Imagine if you were awaiting the results of tests for an incurable cancer, how would you feel? The Philippians were under pressure. There was external pressure on the church. Paul’s response to all this, and what he actually did in his own life, was to rejoice in the Lord. All the personal stuff in the first chapter is so important, for it shows that these are not empty words, not blind optimism, but the reality of Paul’s life. In any and every circumstance we can rejoice in the Lord. Now we have to be realistic. At first we may find it hard and seem to be making little progress, still feeling under the circumstances. But we should persevere, and eventually we will start to overcome, to get to the place where God wants us to be. We can be sure of this because Jesus actually is Lord!
4:5
When under pressure our natural reaction can be to react with grumpiness or aggression. Instead we should seek gentleness, part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22,23). We can have an inner calm and peace. Why? Because the Lord is near. What does this mean? There are two applications. In Matthew 28:19,20 Jesus assures us that all power and authority has been given to Him, and that He will be with us always, even to the end of the age. Note that there He also commands us to make disciples of all nations. This is an encouragement to get on with the work of the gospel in confidence. Secondly, Jesus will return as Lord of all. It is God who will triumph, and we will share in that victory. So we should cultivate gentleness in our lives.
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