Friday 13 July, 2018

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I have always understood this passage to mean not to worry about material things but to focus on building God’s kingdom. This is true but I realised something else: all the things I need are found in Him. Everything.

So, why do I worry? Why do I worry about food and grocery money? Or if I will have enough money to buy clothing and pay the bills? Do I believe my pressing circumstances will last forever? Or that my supply has run out?

Jesus tells me to stop worrying by seeking His Kingdom first. That what I need is found in His Kingdom, in His domain, in His presence – basically – in Him. He is my source. Romans 14:7 tells us that the Kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking but peace, joy and righteousness. Sure, I can’t eat these things but they settle my soul and meet my greatest need. He knows that this is what I need first and that it is all found in Him. And then He will add the rest (food, clothing, shelter). His kingdom knows no bounds and His supply is without end and without measure.

Father God, I thank you that You know what I need and You provide it for me. Please forgive me when I search for what I need outside of You. Because of You I can say “I am rich.”

Written by Gab Martin