Circumstances have a great way of exposing what we rely on.
Someone loses their job, the household can be beset by worries because of the dependence on the income from the job. Someone gets ill, the household can be beset by worries because of the dependence on the sick individual.
These conditions of worry, though, can be seen in the great attention and investment of time and resources to protecting the family and the self. A great deal is given to being worried about the basics of life to the point that physical health deteriorates.
When we rely on ourselves or the abilities of others, we leave ourselves open to worry. What if this should happen? What if that should happen? How will we be able to afford this? How will we be able to get that? It’s a preoccupation that consumes hours of life. And what does it do to help? Nothing.
Into this scenario, the King invites you to consider just how good the Father is. The same heavenly Father who has set up an ecosystem superbly crafted and beautifully cultivated so that nature itself is so much more grand than the efforts of man – yet God’s concern for man is far greater. To such a degree that He supplies what is needed for people. Such is His faithful supply that this can assure those who put their trust in Him and they can apply the energy they would have given to worrying over the basics and transfer it to the pursuit of the rule of God and His righteousness.
When you know the same Father who ensures nature if beautifully arrayed and cares for you a lot more will look after you, there is no need to worry. When you know that your life is in the hands of the one who makes the sun to shine, the rain to fall, the harvest crops to come in season and for all to function as it should and when needed, there is no need to worry. When you know that the Creator of the universe looks after you, when you know that the Great giver of the universe provides for you, when you know that the Great protector of the universe covers you and restores and offers life in abundance full and free there is no need to worry.
When the King talks about those essentials that we perceive it is a command based on assurance when He tells us not to worry. It is the expression of faith to know that our lives are totally dependent on Him for everything we need and we trust Him to deliver. Such is our trust that we will focus on what matters to Him.
In a world of growing uncertainty, will we neglect this command? Will we follow the approach of heightened anxiety over the matters that we don’t have full control of? Will we invest great amounts of time worrying about those things that are basic to living? Will we cause ourselves emotional and mental aggravation at speculating over whether we’ll have enough to eat or anything to wear?
Or will we hear, obey and teach others to observe what King Jesus says?
(Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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