a child of god
this is the way, run in it
How do we not be anxious? It seems like such a human thing to be anxious, to worry, to plan, to try and counteract those feelings. Yet, Jesus said to His disciples as recorded in Luke 12:22 - 34, "For this reason (referring to the previous verses 13-21), I say to you, do not be anxious for you life, as to what you shall eat; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. For life is more than food and the body than clothing." Isn't that interesting? In this age of get it now, get more, don't you have that?, don't you deserve it?! culture, God says, life is more than that. He goes on to say, "consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; and they have no storeroom nor barn; and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!" And here's the clincher: "And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single cubit to his life's span? If you then cannot do even a very little thing, why are you anxious about other matters?" (vv.25-26). God is saying, hey guys, being anxious accomplishes nothing, gets you nothing (except for heartburn and grey hairs! - and more importantly, a loss of peace). He is also saying, don't you trust Me? Jesus goes on to give another illustration, about the lillies of the valley, a famous section. "Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. But God so arrays the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, o men of little faith! So do not seek what you shall eat and what you shall drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things." God knows what we need and all that we are and all that we have comes from Him. We can trust Him to supply our needs and to look after us. Jesus says, "But seek for God's kingdom, and these things shall be added to you. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." Work for His kingdom, use your worldly goods for good as charity, trust God (v.33), "for where your treasure is, there will be your heart also." What is our heart focused on? Do we really trust God to supply what we need? I think about the trust issue and realize I wouldn't be alive today, breathing today, and thinking and writing about these things, without God. He is the One who created me, redeemed me, made me alive in my spirit through faith in Jesus, He is the One who speaks to me through His word and by His Spirit. I owe my very breath and thoughts to Him. Why wouldn't I trust Him with the rest. That is worth pondering over and talking to Him about, today.
0 Comments
|
Franci Ballwatching and working for the kingdom of God in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham - UK Archives
January 2019
Categories |