Must Remember Passages: Philippians 4
by: Gary Palmer
August 4, 2026
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
There are three passages in this chapter that every Christian should commit to memory. In verse 6, Paul writes that we are to "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
How can a Christian live without some anxiety, without some worry? How can we have a spirit of thanksgiving all the time? In verses 11-13, Paul tells us. He wrote, "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." (v.11) In other translations the verse reads, "...I have learned the secret of contentment."
What is the secret that would lead a man who had everything to give it all up? He was, after all, a rising star in the Jewish world. What power did Paul possess that would enable him to say, "I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."?
The power came from knowing Jesus. In Jesus, Paul found what really mattered, and he discovered the secret of being content in a world full of discontent. Paul understood that the things of this world are passing away and that his life and all our lives are passing away too. But in Christ Jesus there is eternal life and with that faith and knowledge comes the power to live without despair in this world…to even live in this world content and with a thankful attitude. Thus, Paul could declare, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (v.13)
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
And so can we.
Through Christ we can handle times when we have far more than we need and times when we are barely scraping by because we view all our situations and conditions as the same through Jesus. These situations, the good times and the not so good times, all change and everything that holds on to us and that we hold on to ourselves will pass away. All that will remain is eternity and for believers, that is secure in Jesus.
The third passage that we need to remember reinforces the hope that we have. Paul wrote, "And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." (v.19)
God will meet every need, not according to our limited strength or our limited ability or our resources regardless of how much or how little we have, but according to His riches and His power. Those words contain a great message of hope and peace because our hope in every situation comes from God. The key is to trust God to give us what we really need and not what we want because what He gives us is always perfect, infinitely better than anything we could get from our own efforts.
Does this mean we should never be anxious, never be hurt or feel sorrow or grief, never fill the pangs of fear or dread. No, we live in a fallen world, so we will face things that hurt us. But as Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:13 we do not grieve like the unsaved world grieves who have no hope because we have a hope, an eternal hope, that is anchored in Jesus.
Prayer
Thank You Father for meeting our every need in Christ Jesus. Thank you that He is enough. Lord give us eyes to see Him in every situation, in lack and abundance. I pray that we would abound in Christ in every season. I pray that we would know true contentment in You in every circumstance. Thank you for your Word that is alive and active. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Worship: In Christ Alone
Further Study
1 Thessalonians 4:13, Philippians 4
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There are three passages in this chapter that every Christian should commit to memory.