Philippians 4:8  WHATEVER IS LOVELY

THINK ON THIS

What kind of lovely thoughts have you had this week?  Hopefully, you have been using this verse to improve your thoughts each Thursday.  

Today I want us consider some of the things we generally think are lovely.  Thoughts that are called in today’s slang our “happy place”.  The “happy place” would be where go in your mind to calm down or get away from the stress of the moment for a little while.  It might be at the beach or by the lake or out in an open field waiting for that big trophy deer to walk into your sites.

We even think about sunsets, people and art as lovely.  In the south and mostly from the more seasoned generation, we might hear, “ Oh, what a lovely _______.”  Yes, these things may be very “lovely” but are there other considerations worth filling our minds.  While those things may be peaceful and calming, there are ideas in scripture that bring a deeper satisfaction and sense of peace that passes all understanding.

As I thought about what the Lord might think is lovely, I search the scripture for other places the word is used.  In Psalms 84:1, we read “How lovely are your dwelling places, O Lord of Hosts” NASB.  The Psalmist occupied his mind with the dwelling places of God.  

Psalms 43:3 asks of the Lord, “Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain to the place where you dwell.” NASB

“Behold our shield, O God, And look upon the face of Your anointed.  For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.” Psalms 84:9-10 NASB

“Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.” Psalms 135:3 NASB   The very name of the LORD is worth our meditation.  His name tells us so much about His character.  We can fill our minds with the truths of who He is to us.  He is our redeemer, our shield and protector, our provider, our healer.

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good new of happiness, who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “” Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7 NASB   Our God reigns!  What a wonderful thought. Are you one of those who has feet that brings good news to your world?  If you are then you are lovely in His sight.

“Prosphiles” is the word used in the original text.  The meaning of the word from Strongs concordance is “pleasing and acceptable, dearly prized; or worth the effort to have and embrace.” It is further described as “whatever would attract the love of holy souls.”  

While you think on these “lovely” verses, consider them the next time you need a place to go for a “happy place”.  Psalms 27:1 “One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me. And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.” NASB.

Think on these things!!!

Treadin On the waters,

Freda

https://youtu.be/7hOSPxxylxk

My Heart Your Home by Hillsong