January 6

1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longest for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved

2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord

3 And I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow, help these women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abused, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me

14 Notwithstanding, ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessaloniæ ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

18 But I have so, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphrodites the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Salute every sign: in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet ye:

22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Christ's household

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.

This chapter has in it three wonderful shalls. The first is found in verse 7, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." It is a certainty. It is not the peace of earth that may be broken up so quickly; it is the peace of God.

Pass on to another "shall" in verse 9, "The God of peace shall be with you." "We have spoken of the peace of God, but here we have the God of peace, which is still better. To have a check out of a check-book is good, but it is better to have the banker himself. Do we know anything of this continual presence of God with us? Mr. F. Arnot, the African traveller, who has been with us for some time, lately told me that he was sustained amid all the difficulty, disease, and danger of his long journeys by the consciousness of the presence of the living God with him. That is what we all want."—Rev. C. A. Fox.

Yet one other "shall" (verse 19): "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." We have had the shall of peace, the shall of the presence, and now we have the shall of supply. Will you doubt such an one? Are you afraid to venture, with him to stand by and help you? Behold, in your path stand the fulness, and mercy, and helpfulness of your God!

Closet Promise.—Able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.—Eph. iii. 20.

"O, he is a sweet Master! One smile from Jesus sustains my soul amid all the storms and frowns of this world. Pray to know Jesus better. Have no other righteousness, no other strength, but only Jesus. O, for fulness out of Him! Why do we not take all out of Jesus? Keep looking, then, to Jesus, dear soul, and you will have that peace of mind that passeth all understanding. Cleave you to Jesus, be joined to Him by faith, and you shall be one spirit; you shall be made warm and vigorous and full of activity in God's service."—McClayne.