Today as I read, a passage of Scripture that's not new to me, spoke volumes to me. Though I've heard it preached, taught and have even taught lessons on the subject, today while reading, it was like a light switch was flipped on in my head.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB), "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"
Let's stop right there for a moment, shall we? Jesus tells us not to worry about our life. He gives beautiful examples of how God cares for the birds of the air. Have you ever watched a bird early in the morning, while the ground is still soft and wet with dew? The bird conveniently snatches up a worm that came up to enjoy the cool breeze of the morning air.
I enjoy watching birds. I love to hear them sing their clear, crisp melodies of praise. They seemingly have not a care in the world. In moments they can flap their wings, reach the heights and see the all the beautiful sights that you and I would have to hop in an airplane or climb a mountain to see and even then our view would pale in comparison to theirs. What a life, but wait, notice what Jesus says in Matthew 6:26b NASB "Are you not worth much more than they?"
Psalms 8:3-4 NASB says, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained (created); what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?"Who are we in comparison to other creatures God has made? I'll tell you. In no other creature has God breathed His breath of life, no other creature was created in His image and no other creature has ever been ransomed by the blood of His only Son, Jesus. Think about it! God loves us! He created us for the sole purpose to be His companion. He enjoys are company. He loves to embrace us in His arms and caress us with His gentle hand of mercy. Everything else was created for our pleasure, for us to enjoy as a gift of love. Has your spouse ever given you the whole world? Neither has mine, but God did. Only He can.
Jesus goes on to speak of the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28-30) and shares that not even King Solomon with all His wisdom and wealth was ever clothed with such beauty as that of a single lily, and shares that if God so clothes the grass of the field, how much more will He clothe us. Wait a second, I hear a rebuke coming... "You of little Faith!" Watch out, where's my umbrella, it's raining conviction right now! I'm so guilty! I've worried so much over so little in the grand scheme of things. I've allowed the cares of this life to captivate my attention when I should have stayed focused on Him. He is God! He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think. He's trustworthy and faithful!
Jesus continues to exhort us in Matthew 6:33 NASB saying, "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Oh my! The end of this verse sends chills down my spine, causing me to cringe, but it's true. Job 14:1 NLT says, "How frail is humanity! How short is life, and how full of trouble!" What a word of truth, but here's more truth...
John 16:33 NLT, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
2 Corinthians 12:19 NKJV, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
John 14:1-4,6 NASB, "Jesus said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.
John 14:27 NASB, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
What a comfort and a joy to know that through all the toils and trials of this life, God is with us and His grace is sufficient to keep us! As the song says, "Though all hell asails me, I shall not be moved."
Today you probably feel like you've been lost at sea. You may feel if one more wave crashes against you, it's all over. Your strength is gone, your heart is breaking. You feel alone and seemingly no ones sees and no one cares. Let me encourage you today. God sees and God cares! He has already prepared the way before you. You may feel you can't see, hear or feel Him, but He's there! He's parting the seas in front of you. Just keep holding on, keep trusting Him! In the darkest of nights there's a lesson to learn. A seed has been planted and it's breaking out of the mold and shell. It's growing! Pretty soon you'll blossom as His beauty radiates through you and His fragrance fills the atmosphere around you. Hold on, holdfast and have Faith!
