In All Things

[The following is a manuscript of my message delivered on Sunday morning the 26th of July, 2020, at Pilgrim Reformed Church.  This was an abbreviated service, also streamed live, due to constraints put in place from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our YouTube streaming channel is:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDIz4WuP8igQstkEOq1AMTg.  Look for the video of our recorded services on our Vimeo channel:  http://vimeo.com/pilgrimreformedchurch.]

We’re going through a lot of hardship these days, aren’t we.  Well, before we think we have it too tough, let’s remember the Apostle Paul, and all that he endured.  In his 2nd letter to the Corinthians, he noted that he had been whipped by the Jews five times, receiving 39 lashes each time.  He was beaten with rods three times and stoned once.  Three times he was shipwrecked and spent a day and a night in the deeps.  He adds, "in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness...", besides the other things that came upon him daily.

But through it all, Paul never lost his faith in the Lord, never wavered in his trust of God.  Like the psalmist, Paul knew where his help and strength came from.

Listen and follow along to what Paul wrote to his beloved church in Philippi, the good folk who provided him with financial support while he was in prison.  This is from the 4th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, verses 4 through 13, and I’ll be reading from the Modern English Version of our Holy Bible this morning…

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let everyone come to know your gentleness. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things. 9 Do those things which you have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me. Regarding this, you did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 I do not speak because I have need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. 12 I know both how to face humble circumstances and how to have abundance. Everywhere and in all things I have learned the secret, both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things because of Christ who strengthens me.

--Philippians 4:4-13 (MEV)

Let us pray…  Father God, we rejoice in You, in knowing You and in knowing Your love.  Sometimes though, Father, this life just throws so much at us that we become overwhelmed by it all.  Father, please help us see Your hand at work in our lives no matter what our situation.  Help us know contentment with what You provide, not being covetous of what others may have.  Grant us You peace, oh God.  And Father, please protect this family from all the effects of the coronavirus and all the troubles of the world around us.  Please keep us strong in our faith, of one mind in our love and worship, and healthy and safe through these trying times.

Speak to us now, Father, that we might hear Your voice through Your Spirit and better understand the message You have for us for this day, that it strengthen and steel us for the days ahead.  Help us take guidance and encouragement from Your Holy Spirit within us. This we pray under the blood and in the name of Your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord.   Amen.


Here's a little poem about how the stresses and pressures of life can affect us.  Sadly, the author's name has been lost through time.

Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length;
Pressed so intensely, it seems beyond strength;
Pressed in the body, and pressed in the soul;
Pressed in the mind, till the dark surges roll.
Pressure by foes, and pressure by friends,
Pressure on pressure, till life nearly ends.

Pressed into knowing no helper but God;
Pressed into loving the staff and the rod.
Pressed into liberty where nothing clings;
Pressed into faith for impossible things.
Pressed into tasting the joy of the Lord;
Pressed into loving a Christlife outpoured.

As near as I can tell, we’re all feeling pressure these days.  The pressure caused by the pandemic and all the rules and regulations put in place because of it.  The pressure from social unrest across the land and in our own community.  Even the pressure of not being able to enjoy watching TV anymore.

Well, our unknown poet tells us that we can put that pressure to better use.  We can let all that’s going on press us closer to our Lord, and into being more like Him, more Christ-like in our daily walk.  We are going to continue to be under pressure, but we can turn that into a closer relationship with God, our only true Helper.


When Paul was a prisoner in Rome, he was under house arrest, which meant he still had to pay for his home there.  The church in Philippi loved Paul so much that they helped him financially, helped him pay his rent, helped him pay for his food and supplies.  And Paul thanked them often for seeing to his needs.

To assure the good brothers and sisters there, he told them he was doing well through all his trials.  He let them know he was content with what he had, that he had known good times and bad, feast and famine, thick and thin.  And through it all, no matter what the world threw at him, he could rejoice.

In joy and in sorrow, he could always find something to be thankful for, just like receiving help from the Philippians even though their own resources were limited and humble.  He could rejoice because he knew a secret: he could endure anything because his strength came from the Lord.


Paul also shared this message of being thankful and rejoicing in all situations with the Thessalonians.  Listen to what he wrote to them in his 1st letter, chapter 5, verses 16 through 22…

16 Rejoice always. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Examine all things. Firmly hold onto what is good. 22 Abstain from all appearances of evil.

--1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (MEV)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.  We don’t have to thank God for the bad stuff, nor do nothing but pray.  But we need to look for the good, even in the worst of situations, and thank God by praying to Him.  This is what He wants of us, this is His will for us.


Now Paul was originally a Pharisee, well versed in the Jewish scripture.  Perhaps he had a song of King David in mind when he penned these letters I’ve read from.  When the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem and placed in the tent prepared for it, the faithful celebrated and King David composed a psalm and handed it to Asaph and his brothers, a psalm that held these words, from 1st Chronicles chapter 16, verses 8 and 34...

8 Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name;
make known His deeds among the peoples.

34 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
for His mercy endures forever.

--1 Chronicles 16:8, 34 (MEV)

God is good… all the time.  He sees to our needs, He helps us through the worst of circumstances, He still works miracles both great and small.  And His love and His mercy endure forever.  Give Him thanks, and let others know just how great He truly is, how much He means to us.


We are assailed from all sides by disease, unrest, disorder, division.  Many people are afraid to leave their homes.  It seems like some are just looking for a reason to find fault, to argue, to start a fight.  Misinformation abounds.  Confusion turns to concern, concern turns to doubt, questions arise, and sometimes angers flare.

When will this all be over?  When will things return to normal?  How are we going to get through this mess?  Where is God in all this?!?


In all things, give thanks.  In all things, take strength from the Lord.  In all things, be not anxious, but be encouraged.  For we can do all things through Christ Jesus, who strengthens us.  In the blessed name of Jesus our Lord, our Master, our Savior.  Amen.


Let us pray…  Father God, thank You for providing for our needs and then giving even more so that we can take some measure of enjoyment from this life.  Thank You for being with us through all the turmoil.  Help us, please Father, to be always mindful of just how good You are, even as we walk under the shadow of death.  Help us be ever thankful for all Your blessings.  And Father, help us be more trusting, more loving, more merciful, and more kindhearted toward others in our daily walk.

Please hear us now, Father, as we pause for just a moment to speak to You straight from our hearts, promising to repent of our sinful ways, seeking Your forgiveness and Your help to do so…

Lord Jesus, You strengthen us.  Through all the hardships of this life on earth, we can take our strength from You.  No matter what we face, You will help us through it.  Thank You, Christ Jesus!  But Lord, we so desperately need Your help and strength right now.  We feel so overwhelmed, so helpless, sometimes even hopeless.  Help us, please, to stay strong.  Reassure us that even this will pass.  Help us remember that You strengthen us and God’s Holy Spirit empowers us.  And Lord Jesus, please stop the conflicts in our society.  Heal the divisions that creep in and separate us, even within Your church family.  Help us to love one another as You love us, to see one another as You see us.  And please, Lord, be ever with us as we walk through these troubling times.  Help us remain faithful and obedient through it all, concerned more with the needs of others than with our own wants and desires.  This we pray in Your blessed name, Christ Jesus our Lord and our Savior.  Amen.