Your Father Knows

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Don’t ever worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Everyone is concerned about these things, and your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them.” Mattew 6:31,32 GW

As I was reading the “Sermon on the Mount” this morning, I took note of the words, “…your heavenly Father certainly knows you need all of them.” (Matt. 6:32)

There are a couple of thoughts that come to my mind when I consider this statement of Jesus. One seems to be that often we don’t believe the Lord is aware of our needs, that we need to remind Him or that He doesn’t care. It is interesting that these verses address basic needs, food, clothing and we could add shelter. I think of those living in many nations of the world where concern for those things is far greater than what the majority face in our own nation.

Often our greatest concerns, in this land of plenty, are not focused on the basic needs of life, but on many other issues. Perhaps it is the “right” clothes, the “right” type of food or the “right” type of housing or other things that become more a matter of status than that which is required.

We can be confident that the Lord knows our needs and is ready and willing to take care of His children. That is why the Lord gives assurance that if “…God clothes the grass in the field. Today it’s alive, and tomorrow it’s thrown into an incinerator. So how much more will he clothe you people who have so little faith?” (Matthew 6:30 GW)

The second thought that strikes me is how our focus and priorities are different than the Lord’s. That is why we see the familiar words,  “But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.” (Matthew 6:33 GW)

Far too often, God’s kingdom is an afterthought, not our first thought. We tend to focus on our needs and our comfort and then we make room for God in our lives. Jesus puts this in reverse and proper order. God’s kingdom and His concerns are to come first in our lives. When that happens, what we need will come to us without the accompanying worry that can plague our lives when we put our needs above those of God and His kingdom.

The bottom line. When we place our focus on the Lord and seek Him and His kingdom way, we can live a life of greater peace and confidence and provision. We then recognize it all comes from and is possible because of God’s love for us and through our own struggles and efforts.

Prayer for today. “Lord, thank you that you know our needs and are more than willing to make sure we have all that we need. Help us to put you first. To seek Your presence. To place our confidence in You and Your love for us. When we do that we can rest in Your care and recognize that all that we have is from Your gracious hand.”