In the third chapter of Philippians we find the spiritual energy that carries the saint onward in the
race to Christ in glory. This chapter reveals the power which gives the saint complete superiority
over all the circumstances through which he has to pass, not as making him insensible to their
sorrow, but able to "rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil. 4:4).

How instructive in this way is the life of the Apostle Paul. He was cut off from the ministry that
he loved; he was shut up in prison at Rome; and after laboring "more abundantly than they all"
(1 Cor. 15:10), he discovered that "all they who are in Asia be turned away from me" (2 Tim.
1:15) and "all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s" (Phil. 2:21). Yet in spite
of all this, he could say, "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice."

You will find plenty of trouble, plenty of conflict, for Satan is not bound yet. The more we go on,
the more we shall know opposition, sorrow in the Church, and saints individually going wrong.
All these things ought to press upon our hearts, but at the same time we ought to have the power
which lifts the heart totally above them. This is the communion and faith that links the heart to
Christ and walks with Him, come what will.

Christ, the "Man of Sorrows," was the example of this. Who was so ready to serve as He? Even
Martha, whom He loved, tried to get Mary away from listening to His words. The disciples sought
to turn Him aside when He told them of His death. All showed a misapprehension of what He had
come for_to "give His life a ransom for many." Yet in the midst of it all, He could ask that His
disciples might have His joy fulfilled in them! (John 17:13).

If we really have this joy of Christ, we can "endure all things for the elect’s sake" (2 Tim. 2:10),
because we are in spirit with Him, and He with us in it all. He endured all things_even the
cross_"for the joy that was set before Him" (Heb. 12:2). It is not the mere buoyancy of a heart
ignorant of the power of evil or of the opposition of Satan. But it is real power, where the depth
of evil and opposition is apprehended, and the power of the Lord is known and trusted in as above
it all!

If my soul is living in the immediate center of the power of Christ, it will feel the pressure of the
evil, but will not be depressed_"In nothing terrified by your adversaries." The practical daily
supplies of strength depend upon the heart’s being with Him who has overcome it all, who has all
power in heaven and on earth. The first mark of this power, when the tide of evil is present, is
patience. That which "endures to the end" is better than a miracle! Thus we learn the graciousness
and power that keeps the heart free to think of what Christ has wrought in others, free to be
occupied with the whole Church. Paul’s affections were fresh for each "true yokefellow" (Phil.
4:3) as though all had not forsaken him; and though all sought their own, it did not hinder the
going out of his heart to others.

In prison, chained between two soldiers, the Apostle was cast more than ever on the Lord. But he
learned to rejoice_not in the prosperity of his work, or in the prosperity of the Church, or of the

saints, but_"in the Lord always"! What holy, Christ-like feeling is expressed in these trials! As
the psalmist says, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth"
(34:1). How did it come about? "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him" (verse 6).

Paul, standing before King Agrippa, says, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear
me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds" (Acts 26:29). He
does not say, "I would you were all Christians," but such as I am"! There is a happy man! He was
so conscious of the blessedness he had in Christ, so full of the love of Christ, that he could wish
you were as he was! His heart’s complete, internal happiness was in Christ, so that the
trials_trials even in the Church, which are much more deep and real_only carried him to Christ!

Are we so conscious of this blessedness in Christ that we can say to others, "I would you were as
I am"? Do you say, "Only an apostle could say this"? No, it is what every Christian, old and
young, is called to! The only difference is that a young Christian rejoices more in himself and his
blessings. The fathers rejoice more simply in Christ for they have come to know Christ; they have
a personal acquaintance with the Lord Jesus Christ, and rejoice in intimacy with Him.

When evil springs up_when the power of Satan is present_the heart has to do with Christ in
resurrection, who has destroyed him who had the power of death. He says, "Be of good cheer, I
have overcome the world" (John 16:33). He starts us with this testimony, having gone Himself
into a place where evil cannot reach. He has not taken us out of a world governed by Satan’s
power, but He keeps us from evil, because we are not of the world as He is not of the world (John
17:15,16).

When we are running the race, we are to look away unto Jesus who has begun and ended this
whole course of faith (Heb. 12:2). He met the power of Satan in the beginning and in the end; He
was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. He overcame him who had the power of death
(that is, the devil), and is set down at the right hand of the Majesty on high_the victory won. We
are to enjoy Him now, high above and independent of the things we are passing through. Do not
let any present circumstances occupy you. Do not look away from Him to them_but rejoice in
the Lord!

We must be with Him in spirit for this; thus our "moderation" or yieldingness ought to "be known
unto all men" (Phil. 4:5). If I am happy in Christ, am I looking for my rights in this world? Christ
had none! Oh, no! my treasure is elsewhere. I am going out of this world; I can wait for my rights
until Christ has His. May our hearts be weaned from things here. Christ passed through it, leaving
all to go its own way. In the presence of unrighteousness, the spirit is apt to rise; but let us
cultivate the subduedness that yields. The Samaritans would not receive Him, and He turned aside
into another village (Luke 9:51-56). Why didn’t they receive Him? Because He had "steadfastly
set His face to go to Jerusalem"! The half-hearted would not receive Him because He was doing
the very thing that marked His devotedness to His Father. And so it will be with us; the religiously
half-hearted will not want us if we set our face steadfastly to go right!

"Be careful [or anxious] for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). It is true that we have cares

and sorrows, and we would have more if we were living more as servants among the sorrows of
this world. But there is a tendency for us to get away from Christ and thus become anxious even
in caring for others. Thus we must tell God, and this carries us so above the cares that we can
rejoice in Him.

What does God give to the heart that has given all its cares to Him? "The peace of God, which
passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (verse 7). Is
God’s heart taken up with circumstances? Is He troubled by them? Is His throne shaken by the
folly and the wickedness of the world, or even the failure of the saints? Never! Put your cares,
then, on God, and He will put His peace into your heart_the inexpressible peace of God! The
peace of Him who knows the end from the beginning shall keep your heart and mind through
Christ Jesus. There is no indifference, carelessness, or coldness, but supplication, earnest entreaty,
and all with thanksgiving.

A man whose heart is filled with thanksgiving, reckoning on God, goes to Him with prayer and
supplication, and the soul having left all on God, feels His hand under the trouble, and can say,
"It is His affair, not mine."

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true … honest … just … pure … lovely … of good
report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (verse 8). May our
hearts be free to find the good in people. Jesus could find the least bit of grace in a poor soul; His
heart was ever ready to enjoy it:"I have meat to eat that you know not of" (John 4:32, concerning
the woman of Samaria); "Mary has chosen that good part" (Luke 10:42); "Behold an Israelite
indeed, in whom there is no guile" (John 1:47, concerning Nathaniel). It is well that our hearts
be kept free to enjoy the fruit of the Spirit in others, as being occupied with what is good!

"Those things which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the
God of peace shall be with you" (verse 9). It is not only His peace, as in verse 7, but Himself.
"The very God of peace sanctify you wholly" (1 Thess. 5:23). "The God of peace … make you
perfect" (Heb. 13:20,21). Peace is the effect of a full and perfect work. He has "made peace
through the blood of His cross" (Col. 1:20). Why? Because He has gone through everything that
was contrary to God_has borne the wrath (the very opposite of peace) of God. The instant He was
risen, He came into the disciples’ midst and said, "Peace"! And now to us God takes this
wondrously blessed name of "the God of peace."

Faith is needed to be able to rejoice always in the Lord, the feet going where God would have
them go, not avoiding evil merely, but walking where He would lead us in every detail of life_in
our habits, dress, behavior, and conversation.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (verse 13). It is a different thing to say,
"Christ strengthens me," from saying, "I can do all things." Paul had learned it. He had learned
how to be abased and how to abound. Think of what the Apostle experienced in his lifetime:"In
journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in
perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils
among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in

fastings often, in cold and nakedness" (2 Cor. 12:26,27). And through it all, he could say, "My
God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).

What reality there is in the life of faith_walking in secret with God. We are poor hands at it; but
the world cannot touch it, Satan cannot rob us of it, and the trials that come to us in that path only
prove us superior to every circumstance through the power of His grace! God grant that we may
know it and Him in it.

(This was originally published under the title, "His Praise Shall Continually Be in My Mouth.")