SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:19-34
OBSERVATION:
Here it comes again. Jesus challenges the self-centered, comfort and pleasure loving nature of the heart. Who are we serving, what are we living for, where do we put our confidence? Those who surrender themselves to worldly pleasures, treasures or concerns will only end up more burdened and depressed than when they started. Worry and concern will overwhelm them. Contrary to this Jesus invites us into a life of surrender to God, His purpose and His care, with an eye on the ultimate kingdom that He will establish where we will be forever free from worry and concern. But it doesn’t come easy. It goes against what we naturally cling to (treasures on earth, which do not last). It demands a trust in an invisible God, when our visible needs seem so much more important (food, clothing, daily needs, struggles). We cannot even imagine not worrying, its what we do most of the time. Give up my needs and wants and invest in the invisible kingdom of an invisible God, with the promise of invisible rewards? Sounds stupid! And yet it comes down to this choice: will I serve temporal or eternal concerns (‘Money’ or God)?
APPLICATION:
Those who subscribe to a health and wealth gospel show that they have not heard Jesus. Jesus is not preaching a process for being rich and successful, He is preaching a lifestyle of devotion to God and contentment, not matter what we have. Its not “do this and God will bless you” but “do this, that’s all the blessing you need or want”. You are secure and significant with God, no matter how things go in this world. Whatever happens is just another opportunity to seek and serve God and His Kingdom. The application for me is a deep searching of my own heart and life to see whether it reflects this surrender to and security in the Lord. Not just when things are going well, but how much faith do I have when things are not going well. Do I reveal a quiet, hopeful confidence in God when I am not healthy or wealthy or successful, or when I am persecuted.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to think this through very carefully. Do I really trust You right now, when I am in this period of uncertainty and confusion? Do I have a fair-weather faith? Do I really, honestly believe that no matter what happens, it is a part of the unfolding of Your good purpose and plan for me, for the world? Amen.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness
and all these things shall be added unto you,
allelu, aleluia.
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceeds from the mouth of God,
allelu, aleluia.
Ask, and it shall be given unto you, Seek, and ye shall find.
Knock, and the door shall be opened unto you,
allelu, aleluia.
The above song was what came first into my mind after reading today’s passage. I praise God for the gift of songs. Very simply, it tells that Today God Is First. That is what I need to live every day. My focus needs to be on Him and not on myself or the world around me. I must focus on the main thing and the main thing is living for Jesus.
Help me Lord each day to live, showing that You are my All in all. On my pilgrim’s progress – my pathway – Lord help me to be true to You in all I do – so that may continue my journey in joy walking always in Your Sonlight! Great is Thy faithfulness!