Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:5-7, NKJV

Paul uses an interesting phrase here that can be understood in two distinct ways. The phrase is: “The Lord is at hand.” First, this could be understood as referring to the Lord’s presence, here and now. It is true that the Lord is at hand – He is our very present help in times of trouble. He never leaves nor forsakes us. He is always with us in every eventuality of life. This should give us a great sense of comfort and encouragement, while at the same time giving us a sense of admonition and instruction in the ways of God.

But, the phrase, “the Lord is at hand,” could also be thought of in terms of His coming for His bride, the church. The Lord’s return is imminent – it could happen at any moment. There is nothing Bibically that needs to be fulfilled before Jesus comes back. It could happen at any moment.

So, the Lord is at hand, here and now, but also in relation to His coming again. As we give consideration to that phrase in this passage, it is clear that Paul uses it in conjunction with several other words or phrases in these verses. Let’s give some consideration to some of these.

First, Paul says that we should let our gentleness be known to all men – the Lord is at hand. It appears that Paul is saying that the fact that the Lord is at hand should be a motivating factor in our being gentle with others. The term ‘gentleness’ denotes a non-retaliatory spirit. We are to guard our actions and attitudes toward others, making sure that we are not seeking revenge against those who have hurt us in some way. We are to maintain a gentle spirit in our dealings with others.

Second, Paul encourages his readers to be anxious for nothing – the Lord is at hand. Are you an anxious person? What is it that causes your anxiety level to skyrocket? What brings on a panic attack? Paul would have us understand that if we can keep our minds focused on the fact that the Lord is at hand – He is that present help in our times of difficulty – then our anxiety should be replaced with the sensation of peace. We will come back to that thought momentarily.

Third, we hear Paul say that we should present our requests to God by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving – the Lord is at hand. In the context, this call to prayer is tied to the idea of anxiety. Don’t be anxious, but go to God in prayer, with a spirit of thanksgiving driving our time with God. He is worthy of all praise, so as we go to Him in prayer, being motivated by a spirit of sincere thanksgiving, our anxieties will begin to melt away in His powerful presence.

Finally, Paul says that the peace of God is ours to experience and enjoy – the Lord is at hand. We do not have to be overwhelmed by the cares and the concerns of this life, because the Lord is at hand. His presence gives us His peace. Here, Paul uses the phrase, “the peace of God.” This is an interesting concept that deserves some serious consideration.

There is another phrase Paul uses in his letter to the Romans that should be given some thought before we look at the phrase in Philippians.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1, NKJV

In Romans Paul uses the phrase, “peace with God,” whereas in Philippians he uses the phrase, “the peace of God.” Peace with God comes about as the result of being justified, of being saved, born into the family of God. Peace with God is a byproduct of being at peace with God. One cannot experience the peace of God without first being at peace with God.

But once one has been born again into God’s family by the power of salvation provided by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, then he is in the standing of being at peace with God, and he then experiences the peace of God which alleviates our anxieties as we cast them upon God’s grace through prayer.

So, take heart as we are reminded of God’s great promise that He is at hand. He is here, now, and He is coming! His presence in the present sees us through those dark experiences of life, and the promise of His coming gives us confidence that there is coming a time when we will experience the fullness of His grace as we are ushered into His eternal presence.

Be anxious for nothing – the Lord is at hand!

Blessings.