Phil Meade – NorthStar Church Blog

Digging Deeper: Proclaim the Year of the Lord’s Favor

Phil Meade on January 30, 2026

¹⁹to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor

Luke 4:19a (ESV)

PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOR

In the eighth century BC, the Assyrians invaded the northern kingdom of Israel—consisting of ten of the original twelve tribes—and took most of the inhabitants into exile. Prior to this period, the Jews observed a Sabbath Year every seventh year. During this year, no work was done in the fields; land that had been sold or leased was returned to its original owner; debt obligations were released; and Hebrew slaves were freed (see Deut. 15). The Jubilee Year occurred after seven cycles of seven years, or in the fiftieth year. The laws regulating the Jubilee Year were similar to those of the Sabbath Year (see Lev. 25). The Jubilee Year has not been observed since the Assyrian exile.

When Jesus proclaims “the year of the Lord’s favor”—translated as “the acceptable year of the Lord” in some versions—many scholars believe he is referring to the Jubilee Year. As John Gill notes, “The time which he willed and fixed for the redemption of his people, and in which he showed his goodwill and pleasure unto sinful men, in the gift of his Son to them, and for them.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him.
21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:20–21, ESV).

Jesus finishes his reading of Isaiah and sits down to begin his teaching. He now has the full attention of the crowd, and he stuns them by declaring himself to be the Messiah—the fulfillment of Isaiah 61. He proclaims a Jubilee Year that has not been observed in over seven hundred years. What Jesus comes to accomplish during his “Spiritual Jubilee Year”—his earthly ministry—mirrors what was required during the Jubilee Year:

A Year of Rest: The fields are left idle to replenish and refresh. Jesus offers rest to the weary; the Spirit of Jesus restores and reenergizes.
Land Restored to Its Original Owner: Jesus restores us to our original owner. Created in God’s image, our relationship with the Father is restored through the sacrifice of his Son.
Debts Forgiven: The eternal debt we owe for the guilt of our sin is forgiven through Jesus’ work on the cross.
Slaves Freed: Hebrew slaves were released; Jesus comes to liberate us from slavery and bondage to sin.

Finally, it is important to remember the cost of this “Spiritual Jubilee Year.” Jesus leaves heaven to become fully human and fully God—allowing him to “sympathize with our weaknesses” (Heb. 4:15)—and to become the perfect sacrificial Lamb required by God. This was entirely God’s plan, not one of human design. What Jesus offers is free and cannot be earned by our efforts. Just as the Jewish people needed faith to believe that God would provide for them during the year of rest, all that is required of us is to trust in God’s provision through the work of his Son. The Spirit empowered Jesus for his earthly ministry, and that same Spirit is available to empower you.

Digging Deeper (er):

Mark 1:15; 2 Cor 6:2 Heb 12:28

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 6. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

Digging Deeper: Liberate the Captive and the Oppressed

Phil Meade on January 29, 2026

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives . . . to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

Luke 4:18b (ESV)

BIND UP THE BROKENHEARTED, RECOVER SIGHT TO THE BLIND

What holds you captive? Is it a job? A relationship? A hobby? An addiction? Financial success? Other than addiction, striving to succeed in these pursuits is not inherently harmful. However, when taken to extremes, any activity can lead to sinful behavior, and you may become a “slave” to it. Are you spending too much time at work at the expense of your health, emotional well-being, or family stability? Are you involved in a relationship that is not beneficial to either party—much less honoring to God? Do you spend an inordinate amount of time engaged in activities that do not bring you—and the people around you—closer to God? Are you willing to push the envelope and live on the margins to get ahead financially? Living this way will eventually lead to captivity, leaving you unable to break free.

Fortunately, Jesus promises to set the captive free. No chain that we forge in life is too strong for Jesus to break through the power of the cross. Our responsibility is to confess the sin that has kept us captive, lay it at the foot of the cross, and repent—that is, to turn and walk the other way. John reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Notice that John says all unrighteousness will be cleansed. This means that the guilt and shame that have kept us captive to sin are washed away by the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:22). No greater elation can be experienced than that of a slave set free or a prisoner released from captivity.

Oppression can arise from both internal and external sources. Anywhere in the world where the practice of Christianity poses an existential threat is, by definition, external oppression. Internal oppression may stem from guilt, fear, pain, or hopelessness. The word oppressed that Jesus reads—translated as bruised in the KJV—comes from the Greek thrauō. This form of oppression conveys the feeling of being shattered into pieces, like broken pottery, under the crushing weight of evil and sin.

What circumstances in your life are making you feel oppressed? Are these pressures internal or external? Jesus promises all who are weighed down by heavy burdens:

28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28–30).

Remind yourself daily that Jesus took the weight of the sins of the world (1 John 2:2) upon his shoulders on the cross. Jesus died so that we might live in liberty. He stands with open arms to relieve you of your burden and invites you to take up his yoke, where you will find “rest for your souls.”

Digging Deeper (er):

Rom 6:20-21; Heb 10:22; 1 John 2:2

Digging Deeper: Bind Up the Brokenhearted, Recover Sight to the Blind

Phil Meade on January 28, 2026

. . . he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.

Isaiah 61:1a (ESV)

BIND UP THE BROKENHEARTED, RECOVER SIGHT TO THE BLIND

The prophecy of Isaiah 61 includes the phrase, “he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted” (Isa. 61:1a, ESV). With the exception of the KJV translation, this phrase is not included in Luke’s account of Jesus reading Isaiah to the crowd (Luke 4:18). I include it here as a reminder that many of the sins Jesus came to give his life for emanate from the heart.

When we think of a broken heart, what often comes to mind is the end of a romantic relationship. Whether you are the initiator of the breakup or the recipient, pain occurs on some level. Our hearts can also be broken by hurtful actions committed against us or by harsh words spoken to us. Whatever the cause, we have all experienced that feeling of a broken heart that seems as though it will never mend. Jesus came to “bind up the brokenhearted,” but not in the sense we might first assume.

King David reminds us, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18). “Brokenhearted,” in the biblical context, does not primarily refer to pain inflicted by others’ sin against us, but rather to the sorrow that comes from our own sin. John Gill notes that our “hearts are broken and made contrite by the word of God, under the influence of the Spirit of God, and with a sense of sin; and are wounded with it, and are humbled for it.” Jesus called those who mourn “blessed” (Matt. 5:4). Jesus comes to bind up the broken heart—but in this context, he seeks the heart of those who truly mourn over their sinful condition. Once we humbly confess our sins to him, the stripes that he endured heal our wounds (1 Pet. 2:24, KJV).

“. . . and recovering of sight to the blind” (Luke 4:18b, ESV).
“. . . and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isa. 61:1b).

Before salvation, we are all blind to our true condition. Sin blinds us and twists the truth. It is as though we are imprisoned, shut away in darkness. Jesus is telling his audience that he comes to free the prisoner from darkness and to restore sight to the blind. Jesus later tells Saul—soon to become Paul—on the road to Damascus that Paul is sent “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18a).

Have you ever been in total darkness? I am not referring to when-the-power-goes-out darkness; I am talking about deep-in-a-cave darkness. You literally cannot see your hand in front of your face. That is how blind we become to our sinful nature. Fortunately, God—through his Son, Jesus—promises to “lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground” (Isa. 42:16). Jesus not only comes to heal physical blindness, but—more importantly—to open our eyes to the light that only he can provide.

Digging Deeper (er):

Psalm 147:3; John 8:12; 2 Cor 4:6

Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

Digging Deeper: Bring Good News to the Poor in Spirit

Phil Meade on January 27, 2026

¹⁶And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. ¹⁷And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written . . . ²⁰And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Luke 4:16-17, 20-21 (ESV)

BRING GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR IN SPIRIT

As we saw yesterday, Jesus begins his earthly ministry in greater Galilee. We now find him returning to his hometown of Nazareth and attending the Sabbath service in the synagogue (4:16). The service customarily begins with worship—prayer and praise—followed by members of the congregation standing to read from the Law and the Prophets. Jesus stands to read from the prophet Isaiah (4:16b–17a) and then sits down (4:20a). The president of the synagogue then invites any distinguished visitor to speak, with discussion to follow. Jesus—seated, as was customary for rabbis and teachers—begins to speak (4:21).

Jesus’ reputation from his early ministry in Galilee precedes him. All eyes are fixed on him (4:20b), and he begins his teaching by boldly proclaiming that he is the fulfillment of the Isaiah prophecy he has just read (4:21). I can only imagine the reaction of the crowd when they hear this astonishing proclamation. Let us now dig deeper into how Jesus fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 61.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor” (Isa. 61:1a).

The Hebrew word for Messiah is Moshiach, which means “anointed one.” Jesus announces that he is that “Anointed One,” the anticipated fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. In the Christian era, Messiah refers more to a Savior or Redeemer. The Jews of Jesus’ day, however, were looking for a king who would overthrow the oppressive Roman occupation, bring peace throughout the world, and return all Jewish exiles to the Holy Land. Jesus completely upends this perception of his messianic calling. He comes to redeem and save the lost—whether Jew or Gentile—and to “bring good news to the poor” (61:1a).

The Greek word for poor is ptōchos. This does not refer to someone merely struggling to make ends meet, but to someone who is utterly impoverished, begging in full dependence for everything. The sin of pride is the antithesis of spiritual bankruptcy (ptōchos). Pride says, “I am independent, rich in all things, and have no need or want.” Spiritual bankruptcy says, “I am totally dependent, have nothing to offer, and struggle to survive.” James reminds us, “‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6).

When Jesus states, “Blessed are the poor (ptōchos) in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3), he is referring to someone who is spiritually destitute and helpless. Charles Spurgeon writes, “None ever considered the poor as Jesus did, but here he is speaking of a poverty of spirit, a lowliness of heart, an absence of self-esteem. Where that kind of spirit is found, it is sweet poverty.” Oh, may we—count me first in line—strive to put away our pride to attain that “sweet poverty”! That is the “good news!”

Digging Deeper (er):

Proverbs 22:4; James 2:5; Revelation 3:17

Digging Deeper: The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me

Phil Meade on January 26, 2026

¹And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness . . . ¹⁴And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. ¹⁵And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Luke 4:1, 14-15 (ESV)

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME

We begin this week’s study at the onset of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus is baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, filled with the Holy Spirit, and driven by the Spirit into the wilderness (Luke 3:21–22; 4:1; see also Mark 1:9–13). In the wilderness, Jesus endures forty days of fasting and is subject to temptation by Satan (Luke 4:1–11). Note that Luke emphasizes that Jesus is “full of the Holy Spirit” as he begins his trial in the desert (4:1).

The Spirit of God dwells in the human body of Jesus, just as the Spirit indwells those who confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. After the Last Supper, Jesus tells his disciples, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever . . . You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:16–17b). Jesus then returns to Galilee fully “empowered” by the Holy Spirit to begin his earthly ministry. He teaches in the synagogues, and news of his works and glory spreads widely (4:14–15). You may be wondering what it means to be “empowered” by the Holy Spirit. Glad you asked . . .

Jesus promises his disciples that the Father would give them “another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16b). That Helper is the Holy Spirit. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer and empowers each of us in many ways. The Holy Spirit testifies that we are adopted children—and therefore heirs—in the family of God (Rom. 8:16). Paul reminds the church in Rome that “by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Rom. 15:13). When we struggle in prayer, “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26). Our minds are opened to spiritual truths—“interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual” (1 Cor. 2:13). Jesus also tells his disciples that, by the power of the Spirit, they will be his “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

As believers, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13) and are fellow heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17) in the family of God. This adoption into the family of believers gives us eternal hope through the power of the Spirit. The Spirit empowers us to speak directly with God in prayer. We are also gifted by the Spirit—to one degree or another—to interpret the Scriptures. We use this gift not only to enlighten our fellow believers, but also to witness to those we encounter. Jesus begins his ministry “full of the Holy Spirit,” and we should have confidence in the power of that same Holy Spirit who indwells us.

The gifts of the Spirit vary widely among believers; however, the “fruit of the Spirit” should be universal among all believers. Being “in step” with the Spirit means displaying the many attributes listed in Galatians 5:22–23. As Max Lucado succinctly notes, “These are indicators on our spiritual dashboards. So whenever we sense them, we know we are walking in the Spirit. Whenever we lack them, we know we are out of step with the Spirit. Keep in step with the Spirit.”

Digging Deeper (er):

Ezekiel 36:26-27; Acts 10:38; 1 Corinthians 6:19

Digging Deeper: Practice Makes You More Like Jesus

Phil Meade on November 7, 2025

⁹“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:9 (ESV)

PRACTICE MAKES YOU MORE LIKE JESUS

It is said that “practice makes perfect.” Most coaches I have ever encountered will say, “perfect practice makes perfect.” Just going through the motions in practice will not sharpen your skills for the actual performance. The same can be said of the Christian walk. There are days in my life when I feel as though my faith is running on muscle memory. I can “fake it till I make it,” but that offers little value to me—or, more importantly, to those within my sphere of influence. Paul reminds his readers that their faith is an active faith. They must take all that they have learned, received, and heard from him, and take the time to practice what they have been taught, given, and heard.

The word learned in Greek is related to the word for disciple. A disciple is one who adheres to the teachings of another and follows in their footsteps. Paul is telling the church to practice what he taught them while he was with them. Not all of us are gifted teachers or theologians—shout out to those who are—but we can all give a basic account of the story of Jesus. Teaching the Gospel consists of extolling the foundational truths of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection.

The word received in Greek means “to take to oneself.” The church at Philippi needed to understand, accept, give assent to, and live out what they received from Paul. They were to accept his teachings as truth, conform themselves to those teachings, and ultimately become more Christlike (sanctification). This exemplifies the crucial head-to-heart connection. It does not benefit us merely to learn the Word of God—we must also live the Word of God.

Paul tells his readers to remember and practice what they heard from him when he was with them. Not only that, the Philippians were to remember their conversations with Paul and with one another. They were to listen to his written words and stay aware of any news regarding his present actions and teachings.

I think Paul saves the best for last: Practice what you saw in me. In my own experience, the way we live our lives can be a powerful witness to our faith—sometimes even more effective than the spoken word. This is especially true when engaging with those who do not want to hear what you are preaching. Paul not only taught the Gospel truth but also shared how Jesus had transformed his life. This can be a powerful tool to invite others to listen further to the truth of the Gospel.

Warren Wiersbe eloquently elaborates on the promise Paul leaves with the Philippians at the end of this verse:

“The peace of God is one test of whether or not we are in the will of God. If we are walking with the Lord, then the peace of God and the God of peace exercise their influence over our hearts.”

Discover God’s Will – Experience His Peace!

Digging Deeper (er):

Rom 10:14-15; 1 Thess 5:23; Phil 4:7.

Digging Deeper: Think Excellent Thoughts

Phil Meade on November 6, 2025

⁸“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

THINK EXCELLENT THOUGHTS

I don’t know about you, but if I focused my thinking solely on the areas Paul lists in verse 8, my mind would be exhausted by the end of the day! However, I believe my mind would be that good kind of tired—like after a full day on the slopes in bright sunshine, the warm hug from Grandma after a long journey, or coming face-to-face with our risen Savior at the end of a long race. Paul is reminding his readers to focus their mental energy on the things that matter—those that have eternal significance.

Think on Whatever Is:

True – The actuality of something. Truth is not relative but absolute—the truth of God’s Word, embodied in the Living Word, Jesus.

Honorable (Greek: worthy of respect) – Worthy of reverence. Do not waste time on trivial, temporal, or earthly thoughts.

Just – Righteous; that which conforms to the perfect standard of God, as revealed in His Word.

Pure – Chaste, innocent, morally clean; able to stand the scrutiny of God. Purity conforms us to the image of Christ.

Lovely – Endearing, lovable, amiable, pleasing, and winsome. These qualities make us more attractive to others for Christ’s sake—not for our own gratification.

Commendable (of good report) – Highly regarded; thoughts that are noble and uplifting, which not only build up ourselves but, more importantly, build up others.

Excellence (Virtue) – Demonstrated by living as God intended, for His purpose and glory—to the honor of Christ and for the reputation of the Gospel in the world.

Praiseworthy – Not for our own accomplishments, but so that others may see and understand the true source of our praiseworthy actions.

I challenge you to take a few moments and think on these things. If you are like me, the image that embodies every single one of these characteristics is Jesus.

He came as the Word of Truth.
He is worthy of our reverence.
He brings justice to the world.
He is the perfect image of His Father.
He is lovable—and loves us in return.
He is highly regarded, the name above all names.
He lived a virtuous life, perfectly following His Father’s will.
He is infinitely worthy of our continuous praise!

Digging Deeper (er):

Col 3:1-2; Rom 12:2-3; Rom 8:5.

Digging Deeper: Find Peace for Your Heart and Mind

Phil Meade on November 5, 2025

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 (ESV)

FIND PEACE FOR YOUR HEART AND MIND

Pastor Warren Wiersbe writes:

The world bases its peace on its resources, while God’s peace depends on relationships. To be right with God means to enjoy the peace of God. The world depends on personal ability, but the Christian depends on spiritual adequacy in Christ. In the world, peace is something you hope for or work for; but to the Christian, peace is God’s wonderful gift, received by faith. Unsaved people enjoy peace when there is an absence of trouble; Christians enjoy peace in spite of trials because of the presence of power—the Holy Spirit. People in the world walk by sight and depend on externals, but Christians walk by faith and depend on the eternals.

Let’s dig into this commentary a little deeper. Note that worldly peace is highly subjective—changing at the whim of the human condition—and reliant on its own resourcefulness. Godly peace never wavers; it is available through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Righteousness—the condition of being “right” with God—brings with it His inestimable peace, beyond all understanding. The secular worldview sees peace as emanating from one’s abilities and self-motivation. The godly worldview recognizes Christ as the only source of peace. He died so that we might be made right with the Father.

The world sees peace as something earned—something fought for. We, as Christians, see peace as a gift from a gracious and merciful God, obtained through our faith in His Son. The world views peace as the absence of turmoil and strife. The Christ-follower understands that trials and tribulations will come, but the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit gives us inner peace and joy. Finally, the world walks in darkness—blindly following wherever external stimuli lead. Christians walk by faith, focusing on their eternal destiny, rather than being tossed to and fro by the latest fad or fashion.

The mind, according to Scripture, is the center of our understanding and reasoning. The heart, on the other hand, is the seat of our emotions and the source of our free will. Paul reminds his readers that these two critical areas of human existence need constant protection. It is within these centers of consciousness that sin can most easily enter. The peace of God—obtained through a right relationship with Him by our faith in His Son—is constantly guarding these vital yet vulnerable aspects of our humanity.

Think of your heart and mind as a castle. God’s peace is the guard (or sentinel) whose job is to keep constant watch, preventing Satan from breaching our defenses.

Digging Deeper (er):

John 14:27; Rom 16:20; 2 Thess 3:3.

Digging Deeper: Ask God, With a Humble and Thankful Heart

Phil Meade on November 4, 2025

⁶“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

ASK GOD, WITH A HUMBLE AND THANKFUL HEART

My father—a great dad—was always one to worry. We would leave on family vacations, and five minutes after pulling out of the driveway, we would be heading back home so he could check to make sure something wasn’t left turned on. I’m not sure how much actual vacation time he allowed himself to enjoy. He made up for it once all the kids were out of the house and he and my mom could simply relax and travel—on his son’s pass privileges, I might add—mostly stress-free.

I thank my dad for most of the character traits I inherited from him, apart from that worry gene. In my younger days, I used to have two credos:

“It’s never too early to worry,” and
“I want to see how this is going to turn out before I take that first step!”

Don’t laugh—I know some of you out there are nodding with a bit of embarrassed agreement in your hearts. My point is this: as your faith grows, your anxiety level should decrease. Paul reminds his audience, “Do not be anxious about anything” (v. 6a). That is about as unambiguous as it gets!

How then do we decrease the level of worry and anxiety in our daily lives? Take everything—again, no ambiguity—to God. Talk to God; He will listen. Share your fears and worries with Him—He already knows them. The writer of Hebrews reminds us to confidently “draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16, ESV). Those are powerful words. They remind us that our King sits on a mighty throne, yet stoops down to bless us with His loving mercy and grace.

We can tap into that source of mercy and grace through “prayer and supplication” (v. 6b). Supplication simply means “to plead humbly.” Paul tells the church to simply and humbly make our requests known to the One who loves us and longs to ease our anxiety and fears (v. 6b). Worried about the state of your marriage? Ask God for guidance. Teenage kids keeping you up at night (glad I’m done with that phase of life)? Pray for wisdom. Paul’s message is that God is available and listening—humbly ask Him in all situations. You will never feel more in control than when you give up control to the One who controls it all.

I love how Paul casually drops the word thanksgiving into the conversation. If you removed that word from the verse, the sentence would still make sense. However, if you recall yesterday’s devotional, Paul was in custody when writing this letter, yet he still reminds his readers to find joy in all things—even during times of trial and tribulation. Joy and thanksgiving should go hand in hand. When you think about it, just having the opportunity to talk one-on-one with the almighty Creator of the universe should always fill us with joy and thankfulness.

Approach God with a humble spirit. Ask Him with a thankful heart. Pray for the desires of your heart. Joyfully accept the will of the Father. Leave that worry gene at the foot of the cross.

Digging Deeper (er):

Matt 6:34; Matt 6:27; Heb 5:7; 2 Cor 9:11.

Digging Deeper: Take Joy in the Lord

Phil Meade on November 3, 2025

⁴“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. ⁵Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”

Philippians 4:4-5 (ESV)

TAKE JOY IN THE LORD

Paul is writing this letter to the church at Philippi while imprisoned in Rome (see Acts 28). To most of us, being chained to a guard in prison 24/7 is not something that would instill joy. However, Paul uses the word joy—or some form of the word—sixteen times in this short letter. Paul leaves no doubt as to circumstantial joy; he unequivocally states to “always” rejoice in the Lord (v. 4).

Various translations use the words rejoice, be full of joy, or be glad. Our reason for joy should not be based on the temporal or the worldly, but on the eternal. Paul reminds his readers that “the Lord is at hand” (v. 5b). This can have two meanings:

Paul was looking to the future, anticipating Christ’s return; or
Paul is reminding the church that Jesus abides in all who call themselves followers of Christ and is therefore, by His very nature, always “at hand.”

How then do we learn to take joy in whatever circumstances we find ourselves? We must grow closer to Jesus day by day. Think about a beautiful sunset you may have observed—is there such a thing as an ugly sunset? You can be mesmerized by the beauty of God’s creation, observing the various hues and shades on display. You “lock eyes” on the scene, wishing to catch every nuance.

In my former life, I was cruising one night at 35,000 feet somewhere over the Carolinas, heading to New York. The sun had set earlier in the eastern sky over the Atlantic, and out that window were blackness, city lights, and stars. As I scanned the horizon to my left side of the cockpit, the scene changed. The sky brightened slightly, and in the distant western sky was just a hint of pink-orange, dying light. As I looked back and forth, the night-and-day (literal) contrast was stunning. I was lost in thought about our Creator and His marvelous handiwork!

That is how we must lock eyes with the One who redeemed us. We must study, ponder, pray to, and worship the One who made that scene possible. No matter how bumpy the ride or how stormy the skies, keep your eyes on the One who quiets the winds and calms the seas. Only then will joy be as natural as the breath you take each moment.

Paul also encourages his readers to “let [their] reasonableness be known to everyone” (v. 5a). Other translations substitute “gentle spirit,” “gentleness,” “kindness,” “considerate,” or “moderate” for reasonableness. One of the most effective demonstrations of our faith to this dark world we live in is our response in times of strife. Our expression of joy when we are in the dark valley can be a powerful witness to those searching for the inner peace and joy that are sorely lacking in our modern culture.

Lock eyes with Jesus every day. Let His shining light, joy, and gentle spirit emanate from within!

Digging Deeper (er):

John 16:22; John 15:11; John 15:13.