Life Got You Down? (finale)

"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 6:31-33

Most Christians are very familiar with this passage of scripture. The question is, do we really understand it? These scriptures are filled with advice about handling worries concerning things we all stress over from time to time: life, our bodies, food, clothing and the amount of time we have left on the planet. It is interesting to note that God does not address the "bigger"things that many of us who have been blessed beyond the basics typically complain about. While His focus is on our souls and the basic needs of the body, we are more concerned with houses, cars, job promotions and issues with the opposite sex. It is not that these things aren't important, but the issue is prioritization. How many of us are concerned first about our souls?

Too often we are focused on the material. James 4:13-15 relates a passage about a couple of guys who are more interested in making their next profitable sale. The Holy Spirit revealed in James that we should seek God's will, for our very lives are more brief than we imagine.

I submit to you my beloved that it is an issue of faith. Either you believe God or you do not. The psalmist once famously said, "I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." Ps 37:25 Here was one that put his complete faith in God. His life involved experiences that verified his faith. Surely David knew then what Jesus would relate generations later; that righteousness should be our top concern and that God would take care of everything else. In truth, he even provided righteousness for those who would accept it.

So in these challenging times of wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters and economic meltdown, the person of faith has all he or she needs. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." Without that faith, it is impossible to please God. He IS a rewarder of all that dilligently seek Him. Let us consider these thoughts as we face the challenges of the world. Let us be thankful to God for his loving provision. Let us have faith.

Each One Reach One
Each One Teach One