1. _This does not respect duty._--We must have a care for our Lord's
interests.
2. _But having performed duty, we are not to be careful as to
consequences._--(1) Because unnecessary. Christ cares. (2) Because
useless. It cannot ward off the evil. The evil only in imagination.
The evil often a good. Itself the greatest evil.
3. _Because positively sinful._--(1) It breaks a commandment. (2) It
sets aside promises. (3) It undervalues experience. (4) It distrusts
God's wisdom and goodness. (5) It is rebellion against God's
arrangements. (6) It is an intrusion into God's province.
4. _Because hurtful and injurious._--(1) It often deters from duty.
(2) It destroys the comforts of duty.
+II. Counsel or advice as to the manner in which the evil is to be
avoided.+--"But in everything by prayer and supplication." 1. _The
correction is not a needless and reckless indifference._ 2. _The
emphatic word here is "everything."_ This describes the range of
prayer. This precept is generally neglected. 3. _The performance of
this duty would correct carefulness._ It places everything under
God's government, and leaves it there. It leads to a study of the
Divine will in secular affairs. Our prospects and plans are thus
tested. It gives to every event the character of an answer to
prayer--evil as well as good. Prayer, _i.e._ direct entreaty or
petition. Supplication, _i.e._ deprecation. Thanksgiving for all past
and present.
+III. A promise as to the results of following this counsel or
advice.+--"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds."
1. _The mind and the heart are the seat of care._--The mind
calculates, imagines. The heart feels fear, grief, despair.
2. _The mind and heart are made the seat of peace._--"The peace of
God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and
minds through Jesus Christ." The peace which God has flows from
unity, from omnipotence. This is the peace of God, because He gives
it.
3. _This peace comes through Jesus Christ._--He produces the unity.
He encircles with omnipotence.--_Stewart._