In our fast-paced world, the command “be happy, don’t worry” might sound like a catchy tune, easy to sing but hard to live by. We often hear echoes of this sentiment in popular songs, urging us to shake off our anxieties and embrace joy. But what if this isn’t just a fleeting melody, but a profound truth rooted in something deeper? Recently, a familiar biblical phrase struck me with a renewed sense of urgency and comfort: “The Lord is near.”
Initially, like many, I understood “The Lord is near” through an end-times lens, envisioning a distant future event. It felt like a message of imminent cosmic change, a “hang in there, it’ll all be over soon” kind of encouragement. However, a subtle shift in perspective occurred, and I began to hear it differently: “The Lord is always very near.” This wasn’t about a far-off event, but a present reality – God’s constant presence in our lives, even amidst the chaos.
Being a student of scripture, I felt compelled to delve deeper. Was this just wishful thinking, or was there a solid foundation for this interpretation? Was the apostle Paul, when he penned these words, essentially telling us to adopt a carefree attitude, a “don’t worry, be happy” mantra because divine rescue was just around the corner? Or was he pointing to something more immediate and impactful – the empowering truth of God being with us right now, in the thick of our daily struggles?
To gain clarity, I turned to scholarly resources, consulting a range of commentaries on Philippians. The insights of New Testament scholar Gordon Fee proved particularly illuminating. Fee’s analysis highlighted the inherent ambiguity of the phrase, noting the surprising and somewhat obscure nature of the indicative statement “The Lord is near.” He pointed out the difficulty in definitively placing it within a purely future or present eschatological framework.
This acknowledgment was both validating and freeing. It wasn’t just me grappling with this verse! As I continued reading Fee’s commentary, his concluding thoughts resonated deeply:
Does he intend, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and let your gentle forbearance be known by all, for the [coming of ] the Lord is near”? or Because the Lord is [always] near, do not be anxious about anything, but let your requests be made known to God?” Or does he intend a bit of both, perhaps something as close to an intentional double entendre as one finds in the apostle? . . . . On the whole it seems likely that this is a word of encouragement and affirmation.
This resonated as a powerful affirmation. The nearness of the Lord, both in our present lives and in the promise of his future coming, becomes the very foundation for our joy and our antidote to worry. It’s not about ignoring the challenges around us, but about facing them with the unwavering assurance of God’s presence. “Don’t worry about anything” isn’t a passive call to inaction, but an invitation to engage with life from a place of joy – a joy born from knowing our Savior is present and that ultimate victory is already secured.
So, why can we choose to be happy and not worry? Because the Lord is near! This isn’t just a comforting thought; it’s the bedrock of a worry-free life lived in joyful purpose. It’s the reason we can find our song, even amidst the noise of life’s worries.
References:
- Fee, Gordon. Paul’s Letter To The Philippians in The New International Commentary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1995. Page 407.
- Fee, Gordon. Paul’s Letter To The Philippians, page. 407-08.
