Out of the deeps of experience come the words of the psalmist: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." But how many there are whose feelings are being perpetually troubled so that they find no stability nor peace, because they have not yet acknowledged God as the sustaining power. Ill-feeling is often based on the fear that some person, to whom we look for happiness or resource, will fail us. Hence the attitude of men to their benefactors is seldom that of quiet gratitude. Their hungry greed has appetite beyond the satisfaction given by any benefit conferred. They are therefore careworn and anxious in the endeavor to get more, and also jealous and vindictive regarding others whom they look upon as rivals. In such lives rejoicing is infrequent; but when right views of life are gained, Paul's teaching is understood where he says, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice," and thoughts are turned to the true source for gladness.
Continuing his teaching Paul says, "Be careful for nothing [or more exactly, In nothing be anxious]; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." The deep insight of Paul is suggested by his inferences. He must have been true to his own convictions, obedient to what he taught, else he would not have been so sure as to results. In his own heart there must have been the deep peace which comes from gratitude and thanksgiving to God for the relief from anxious care which divine Love provides for man.
In the Old Testament the heart is viewed frequently as the seat of thought, but in later references it is figuratively used to designate the origin of the emotions and sentiments. There have been various translations of the passage above quoted which bring the meaning closer to the original. The following might be given as a helpful rendition: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your feelings and your thoughts through Christ Jesus." The passage was to the writer's own experience familiar and beloved for many years, and yet its deeper meaning did not dawn upon his thought until the need of the teaching appeared in connection with a special case.
