Guarded in Christ

February 15

”Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6,7.

It is on God that we should wait, as a waiter waits—alert, watchful, attentive, with no agenda of his own, ready to do whatever is wanted. 'My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him,' Psalm 62:5.

In Him alone lie our security, our confidence, our trust. A spirit of restlessness and resistance can never wait, but one who believes he is loved with an everlasting love, and knows that underneath are the everlasting arms, will find strength and peace.”—Elisabeth Elliot (from Quest for Love: True Stories of Passion and Purity)


The nature of man is to be impetuous. The Apostle Peter embodied this trait throughout the three years he walked the dusty streets of Palestine with Jesus. Even after he watched the Lord die on the cross and and knew Him in His resurrection glory, he evidenced that rashness of spirit.

It wasn’t until he asked Him what his fate would be (see John 21:21) that he seemed to experience peace within his bosom. After that experience, Peter went forward in great resolve to carry the precious treasure of Christ’s saving power to the lost, dying world around him.

Until he had himself received the “peace of God that passes all understanding to keep his heart and his mind in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:7, he could not convey that tranquility of spirit to anyone else.

Like him, we must give our innermost being over to the assurance of not only our salvation but also to the knowledge that the God we serve “neither slumbers nor sleeps,” Psalm 121:4. His watchcare over us continues forever.

When we have settled within our minds and spirits that He hears and responds to our prayers and supplications, we will indeed abide in His peace, knowing our hearts and minds--our very lives--are guarded in Christ Jesus.