And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, NKJV).
In the post-modern, post-Christian, relativistic West today, insufficiency, inadequacy, insecurity and indecision abound.
Anchor-less, nations, governments and societies are adrift in a sea of uncertainty precisely because cultural leaders, educators, information media, and opinion makers operate under the mistaken conclusion that there are no absolutes.
Aside from the logical inconsistency of this philosophical position (it is clearly self-defeating, as the proponents of this view are ABSOLUTELY certain that all values and moral judgments are relative), it is a viewpoint and mode of operation that is inherently vacillating. If everything is relative, then what is enough? Or good enough? What is need versus want? What is anything, really?
The Apostle Paul never fell prey to the pitfalls of moral or cultural relativism. No true, well-schooled Christian ever should, since we have the single, authoritative guide to all morality and truth, the Word of God. Because of this, it was possible for him to write the verse above without the slightest equivocation or qualification.
It is worth a moment to consider how his statement in verse 19 fits perfectly with one of the overarching themes of the book Philippians; the sufficiency of Christ in a believer's life.
Php 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
There is no hint of equivocation or condition. If the good work in you has begun (being conformed into the image of God's Son), it will be completed.
Php 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Again, no maybe's or qualifications. There is no down-side to being in Christ, no matter what the outcome from the limited human perspective.
Php 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Salvation is a work of infallible, almighty God, not fallible and pathetic man.
Php 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
This is a command, not a suggestion. Anxiety is prolonged uncertainty based on lack of assurance and knowledge. We know Whom we serve and Who saved us. He does not make mistakes, and He works all things together for good. If you live out this belief, anxiety makes no sense.
Php 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Christian absolutes lead to unsurpassed peace. Being in Christ is the only true place of rest. There is no rest for the unbeliever. There can't be. How much security or wealth or health or success or prestige or power or time is enough? How long will it last? What can be done about the universe of uncontrollable what-ifs? All the human-devised safeguards in the world will not suffice to ensure anything completely, or for long. And certainly, not for eternity, which is the unspoken cry of all human hearts - to have something last FOREVER; for good things to NEVER END. Nothing but Christ can satisfy.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
A declaration of unfailing empowerment. Notice, he doesn't write some or most things, but all things that Christ calls upon you to do, He will strengthen you to do or endure. Where God guides, God provides. And all this leading up to the climactic promise:
Php 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Of course the problem we run into here is distinguishing between what we want from what we really need. The truth is that only He knows.
Our job is merely to trust in the One who loves us and sent His Son to die so that we could live. FOREVER.
