Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
‘Careful for nothing’ [Greek: meden and merimnate] be anxious about nothing. Translated “be careful” (4:6; Luke 10:41); “have care” (2:20; 1Cor. 7:32-34; 12:25); and “take thought” (Matt. 6:25-34; 10:19; Luke 12:11, 22-26). Do not tolerate anxiety or worry, for it will injure your own souls. God alone can help you. And He will do it if you will pray about everything that happens and give thanks for everything (4:6; 1Thess. 5:18).
‘Requests be made known unto God.’ We are commanded here to let all requests be made known to God – requests for material, physical, and spiritual needs and wants – everything that concerns us in life along any line. It is the same as ask and receive, for we will not receive if we don’t ask (Matt. 7:7-8).
In Hebrews 3:6 we are reminded to hold fast the confidence [Greek: parrhesia] which means to have freedom of speech or liberty of access to God. Here it refers to absolute confidence in access to God because all sins which separate us from God are removed (Isa. 59:1-2). In Old Testament days men were not permitted to approach God. Even the mountain on which God gave the law was not to be touched by man or beast. Only the high priest was permitted in the holy of holies once a year, and even then he could not approach God without proper atonement. Now we all have free and daily access to God by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19-23; Eph. 2:18). We are invited to come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain help in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16). As long as we hold fast to his liberty of access to God we are His house (Heb. 3:6). If we are living in sin however we do not and cannot have this liberty of access. God will not hear our prayers (1Jn. 3:20-23; 5:14-15)!!
To be continued…
Living the Word 