So Paul reminds the Philippians of their true condition. “Our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” We have the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus as our Lord - in comparison, the rest is rubbish. Through his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, we also may attain the resurrection from the dead, and have the body of our humiliation conformed to the body of his glory. We CAN rejoice in the Lord, always!
And for those times when our rejoicing is obscured by trials and tribulations, we have the presence of the God of peace with us. We have the peace which guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. And we have the privilege to bring all our requests by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, to our loving Heavenly Father, who will fully satisfy every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Gracious God, help us to imitate the apostle Paul, and keep our heavenly citizenship uppermost in our minds. Draw us closer, through your son Jesus Christ, who has laid hold of us for eternity, in Jesus' name....