Luke chapter 12 shares a beautiful inspiring message about trusting God.
If you read and study verses 27 through 34 you will find that it is not God's will for His people to doubt or worry or fear. God tends to birds, makes the grass grow, and raises up the lilies into a beauty greater than that of King Solomon in all his glory. So why should those who claim to know God--who claim to believe in His power and love and authority--ever worry or doubt?
Verse 28 points out that if God tends to the grass, which is of little value, won't He take much greater care of those who call on Him? He clothes you, puts a roof over your head, provides work or substance, and repeatedly shields you from a multitude of dangers.
Many great disciples over the centuries, like Ruth Graham, kept journals where they recorded the times when God answered their prayers or simply provided. This is a nice method for teaching us to open our eyes to God's providence in our lives. It is very easy--especially with the devil whispering ingratitude and other evil filth into our ears--to forget all the times God has pulled us from the fire. This was the main problem with the Israelite's in the Old Testament; they would constantly forget all the miracles God had performed for them, all the times He protected them from enemies and hunger and thirst and from their own inadequacies.
Some good king or prophet would finally point out their ingratitude and forgetfulness of God's grace, and they would turn their hearts back to Him, and He would receive them with open arms.
It seems contrary for we 'believers' to doubt. We worry about everything and seem sometimes to believe for nothing. Sure we pray, but is there belief, unshakeable belief in God in your prayers? Verse 29 says: 'And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.' Anxiety is prevalent in modern society. It should not be so in the lives of believers. The apostles suffered as much and more than all who have come after them, and yet they were filled with joy, even when they were persecuted, thrown in prison, and facing death for their belief.
They rejoiced, because they had no anxiety, because their hearts were right with God.
Verse 31 says: 'But seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.'
You see, God wants to provide you with the things you need, but of far greater importance to Him is where your heart lies. Is it in Him? Or do you yearn more for the things of this world, and do you seek to satisfy your concerns above honoring your Creator?
The bible makes very clear that the most important concern for believers in this world is their relationship with God. If your relationship with Him is right and proper, if your highest design is to glorify His holy name, then your heart will be right with Him and God will provide.
- Believe and he will provide
- Believe and He will heal
- Believe and He will save
God loves you. His thoughts for you are of peace, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
So stop doubting like the wandering Israelite's. Stop worrying as if you were an unbeliever. You serve a mighty God. Believe He will do as He promises. Read Mark 9:14-23. Spend time in the Word and in prayer. You cannot add anything to your life by worrying. God calls us to believe, not to lead lives filled with anxiety. Joy and peace are 2 of the Fruits of the Spirit. They are yours for the taking. Choose belief, and God will account it to you as righteousness. Praise God! Amen
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