Perspective: WK6 - THU
Provision
Matthew 6:26-33
“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
I grew up in the household of a mom who was a professional worrier. Whenever I had a plan that needed her permission, I knew I couldn’t just ask and get a quick answer. No, no. She would list everything that could go wrong and all the reasons it might not work out. But I am a hopeful optimist. I was her match. I would ask the question and then let her work through each worry without assuming the answer would end with a no. In fact, if I paid my dues by weathering the storm of worry, I nearly always got to do what I had hoped.
Some people worry without cause, borrowing trouble that never materializes. That’s not the case in Joseph’s story. A very real famine is coming, and it will be severe. However, by sending Pharaoh’s dreams and providing Joseph as interpreter and leader of logistics for Egypt, God has created a way through the famine. Purposeful planning during the years of plenty will be enough to meet the people’s needs. Not only that, but the surrounding nations will also be fed by God’s preparations. Worry would have been a fruitless distraction.
As Jesus walks among the Hebrew people, He notices the powerful grip of worry. He offers an argument that may be helpful to you and me today. Jesus points to how completely God has provided in nature. He asks, “Can you see how purposeful our Heavenly Father has been in every little detail of nature? Hasn’t He provided food for the tiniest animal or bird? Don’t the flowers have beautiful clothing to wear?”
To this refrain, Jesus adds a reminder to consider how God has provided for His people throughout history. “If I made clothing for Adam and Eve, won’t I do the same for you? If I led Joseph to prepare for famine, can’t I do the same for your family? Don’t forget that I parted the sea, felled the walls of a city, and freed prisoners from jail cells. I have healed the leper, restored sight to the blind, made the lame walk, and raised the dead to life. I will take care of you.”
So let go of worry about all the things that can paralyze you with fear. “These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” (Matthew 6:32) Instead, refocus on the one who says, “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)
Matthew 6:26-33
“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
I grew up in the household of a mom who was a professional worrier. Whenever I had a plan that needed her permission, I knew I couldn’t just ask and get a quick answer. No, no. She would list everything that could go wrong and all the reasons it might not work out. But I am a hopeful optimist. I was her match. I would ask the question and then let her work through each worry without assuming the answer would end with a no. In fact, if I paid my dues by weathering the storm of worry, I nearly always got to do what I had hoped.
Some people worry without cause, borrowing trouble that never materializes. That’s not the case in Joseph’s story. A very real famine is coming, and it will be severe. However, by sending Pharaoh’s dreams and providing Joseph as interpreter and leader of logistics for Egypt, God has created a way through the famine. Purposeful planning during the years of plenty will be enough to meet the people’s needs. Not only that, but the surrounding nations will also be fed by God’s preparations. Worry would have been a fruitless distraction.
As Jesus walks among the Hebrew people, He notices the powerful grip of worry. He offers an argument that may be helpful to you and me today. Jesus points to how completely God has provided in nature. He asks, “Can you see how purposeful our Heavenly Father has been in every little detail of nature? Hasn’t He provided food for the tiniest animal or bird? Don’t the flowers have beautiful clothing to wear?”
To this refrain, Jesus adds a reminder to consider how God has provided for His people throughout history. “If I made clothing for Adam and Eve, won’t I do the same for you? If I led Joseph to prepare for famine, can’t I do the same for your family? Don’t forget that I parted the sea, felled the walls of a city, and freed prisoners from jail cells. I have healed the leper, restored sight to the blind, made the lame walk, and raised the dead to life. I will take care of you.”
So let go of worry about all the things that can paralyze you with fear. “These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” (Matthew 6:32) Instead, refocus on the one who says, “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)
- What is the longest you have gone without food? Why did that happen?
- On a scale of me to my mom, how much of a worrier are you?
- What is something that consumes you with worry that Jesus may be inviting you to give to Him? What would you like to say to Him about that?
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