INTRODUCTION
I am not an expert in architecture. However, when I listen to those who work in construction, they say that the most important aspects of building a house are the foundation and the pillars. To build a house that won’t be shaken, you must first set up sturdy pillars on a solid foundation. A famous architect once said, “Whether it’s architecture or life, the basics are the foundation.”
There are moments in life when fierce winds blow against us. There are times when storms rage in our lives. We fall ill, experience failures, suffer from the pain of broken relationships, and sometimes face storms that feel beyond our ability to bear. In these stormy moments, if our lives stand on strong pillars, we will neither be shaken nor fall.
THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
The book of Philippians is a letter Paul wrote near the end of his life while he was in prison. It was addressed to the believers in the church of Philippi. Paul was likely about 60 years old at the time. He encountered Jesus and began his ministry when he was around 30. For 30 years, he faithfully fulfilled the mission entrusted to him by the Lord. Yet, from a worldly perspective, Paul had nothing left. What remained for him was imprisonment and awaiting trial before Emperor Nero. But there was one more thing he had left—scars.
Paul bore physical pain from his ministry, and his back was likely covered with scars from severe beatings. There wasn’t a part of his body that didn’t ache.
His eyesight was deteriorating, and he could no longer write on his own. Physical pain was hard, but an even greater pain for Paul was emotional.
He suffered from relational wounds, being betrayed by some of the very believers he had loved and nurtured. Among the believers in the churches he planted, there were those who slandered Paul. Opponents rose against him, and false teachers who envied Paul worked for their own gain. Paul had lived as a faithful servant before God, loving the church and laboring in prayer for the believers. Yet, what he received in return were slanders and accusations.
The pain a pastor feels when betrayed by their congregation can only be understood by those who have experienced it. Such was Paul’s situation—far from a smooth or peaceful life. Looking at Paul’s life, few would call him “blessed.” Paul’s future appeared as bleak as the prison he was in.
Yet, Paul says this to the believers in Philippi:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
If someone had no joy themselves and told others to rejoice, it would seem illogical and hypocritical. But Paul’s letter to the Philippians contains no complaints, no shadow of fear, and no words of bitterness toward God. Instead, he gives thanks to God and encourages the believers in Philippi to rejoice with gratitude. The Greek word for “rejoice always” implies rejoicing continually, as if it were a habit. To rejoice always means there is no expiration date for joy. He emphasizes this again: “I will say it again: Rejoice!”
But who among us can obey this command? How can we rejoice always?
Who can rejoice while lying in a hospital bed with a severe illness? Who can rejoice in the midst of family problems, conflicts between spouses, or struggles between parents and children? No one, it seems. Then why does Paul give such a command? This is an invitation—a “calling.” It is not a call to emotions but to a deliberate act of the will. Specifically, he says, “Rejoice in the Lord.”
To rejoice “in the Lord” means to rejoice in the strength of the Lord, looking to God’s power demonstrated throughout history. Paul trusted in God. It was this faith that served as the pillar holding up his life. Faith was the safety mechanism that absorbed life’s shocks and sustained him through life’s storms.
Do you have such a safety mechanism? Do you have a pillar that will stand firm when the world seems to collapse around you? Faith in God is that pillar.
Faith or belief always precedes action. Our faith changes our thoughts, and transformed thoughts lead to changed actions. That’s why Paul’s letters always address faith before discussing actions. To change how we respond to life, especially its hardships, we must change what we believe—our “belief system”. Why was Paul able to rejoice even in such a dire situation? Paul’s faith rested in God’s sovereignty. Theologically, this means that God is in control of everything. God created, sustains, and rules over all creation. This sovereign God knows the number of hairs on our heads and rules over our lives.
As I mentioned last week, we cannot escape anxiety. Anxiety is a common human emotion. The problem arises when anxiety begins to control our lives.
It’s like a smoke alarm in every house. If the alarm malfunctions, it will go off unnecessarily, just as unnecessary anxiety arises from a malfunction in our perspective. Anxiety often grows when we lose control. Humans feel secure when they are in control, but the truth is, no one can control everything.
So what should we do? Is trying to control everything the answer? Should we prepare parachutes before boarding a plane? Should we carry a gas mask every time we leave the house? Should we stay home to avoid accidents?
Should we stop opening our hearts to others to avoid getting hurt?
We strive to hold on to control, yet we can lose everything in a moment.
The recent wildfires in LA showed us how unpredictable life can be.
The more we try to control what is beyond our grasp, the more stress we accumulate.
Dear friends, we cannot hold on to control because control does not belong to us. Control belongs to God. Therefore, our task is to let go of control and entrust it to God. Surrendering the steering wheel of our lives to Him—that’s what it means to “rejoice in the Lord.”
Jesus tells us not to worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear. He says:
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
It is God who feeds the birds and clothes the flowers.” (Matthew 6:26-27)
Jesus continues: “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30)
Dear friends, do you believe in God? To believe in God is to acknowledge His sovereignty. Paul’s circumstances were more than enough to discourage him, yet he was not discouraged. He found peace and joy even amidst the storms.
Why? Because he believed in God. He trusted that God was with him, that everything was in God’s hands, and that God’s will would prevail.
Paul declares: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing.” (Philippians 2:13-14) Paul trusted that God’s sovereign hand upheld him. Though his present reality was bleak, he believed in the unseen hand of God protecting, guiding, and being with him. This life of faith is what it means to dwell under the wings of the Lord. Under His wings, there is joy and peace.
Beloved, do you trust in God’s sovereignty? Do you believe that the pain and hardships you are experiencing are in God’s hands and part of His plan, and that He works all things together for good? When you have this faith, anxiety fades, and joy overflows. When anxiety overtakes your heart, bow before God’s sovereignty and run to Him. May you find peace and rest under the wings of the Lord.
KNOWING GOD
There was someone who experienced such peace during difficult times—Isaiah the prophet. In the 8th century BC, there was a period when the southern kingdom of Judah enjoyed peace under King Uzziah’s reign. King Uzziah was not a perfect king, but he ruled Judah for 52 years, defending the nation from many enemies. As a result, the entire kingdom of Judah enjoyed a time of peace. But then, King Uzziah passed away. The king was gone. Society was swept into uncertainty. What would happen to the nation now? Economic and political instability began to overshadow society. Isaiah the prophet likely felt uneasy in the midst of this societal atmosphere. It was at this time that something extraordinary happened to Isaiah—he saw the Lord.
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1) Though King Uzziah had died, Isaiah realized that God was still alive. Seeing God seated on the throne signified His sovereignty. While King Uzziah’s reign had ended, God’s rule continued. The problem itself had not disappeared. King Uzziah’s death caused societal turmoil. Yet, even in such a situation, Isaiah saw that God was still alive and sovereign over history.
CONCLUSION
Your circumstances may be challenging. Losing a job, facing difficulties in business, unexpected illnesses, and unforeseen events can bring anxiety. Hearing rumors of war, feeling the impact of rising prices, and being bombarded by media reports predicting economic downturns can naturally make us uneasy. But friends, our God is alive. God is seated on His throne yesterday, today, and forever, reigning over all.
This is what I believe: “Your anxiety decreases as your knowledge and understanding of God increases.”
Do you know God? Have you encountered Him? Are you living each day experiencing God? Do you know how to trust and rely on Him in a deep relationship? God is the King of kings. Nothing is impossible for Him. That is why, while many people focus on their problems, become anxious, and remble, those who know and have experienced God bring their burdens to Him and kneel in prayer. This is what the prophet Jeremiah did. Jeremiah, reflecting on Israel’s rebellion and impending destruction, took these issues to God, pouring out his tears before Him. The summary of Lamentations 3:19 and onwards is as follows: “God, I was in despair. I was disheartened. Yet, even in this situation, there is one hope. In my despair, I remembered You. Because of Your unfailing love and compassion, we are not consumed. Therefore, I place my hope in You.” Then, Jeremiah concludes with this: “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lamentations 3:25-26)
Beloved congregation, lift your eyes and look to God. God is good to those who turn their gaze toward Him. Do you feel troubled in your heart? Are you restless and unable to focus? Do you find it hard to sleep at night?
Look to God’s sovereignty and find joy in it. As trust in God grows in our hearts, our anxiety will diminish. Put another way, as our lives are filled with God’s glory, the worries and fears of this world will fade away.
“But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8) May you turn your gaze to the Lord and experience His blessings.