Our Generous Father

June 2, 2009

~Denise Grant

 

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who are you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.”  Matthew 6:26-27

 

Something To Think About:

 

~It has been argued that “worry” is a sin because it shows a lack of faith. Do you agree?

 

~What is the difference between legitimate concern and unreasonable worry?

 

~Do you have a rock-solid faith that God will provide for all your needs?

 

“My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need.”  Philippians 4:19

 

     The above words were not written by a man living in the lap of luxury, but rather someone who had survived a shipwreck, beatings, poverty, and imprisoned, with a possible death sentence looming on the horizon.

 

     However, Paul had an unshakeable confidence that God would provide for his every need. How was this possible? Because God had done just that and Paul had witnessed it so many times. 

 

     Jesus taught His disciples: “So I tell you, don’t worry about the food or drink you need to live, or about he clothes you need for your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes” Matthew 6:25. Everything they needed – food, clothing and shelter –was provided by a generous Heavenly Father.  

 

     Jesus understands the life and body we have are far more important than what we eat or wear and encourages us not to fret. Worry affects you physically. It makes sleeping and eating sometimes impossible. Worry causes the object of your worry to wrongly consume your every thought. It disrupts your productivity on the job. It negatively affects the way you treat others and reduces your ability to fully trust in God.

 

     Want to know the difference between worry and genuine concern – worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action. Do you believe that or are you reading this whining, But that’s not what I’m worried about. I have too many bills and not enough income. My kids need braces and the car needs major repair work and I got a kid going off to college.

 

     The line between want and need is definitely blurred in our modern consumer culture. And all of us should probably step back and ask ourselves if we aren’t making our lives a lot more complicated than it needs to or should be. 

 

     God promises to meet you and provide for you right where you are. He doesn’t want you consumed by worry. He wants you to honestly acknowledge your state of need and then to open your heart to Him – and then TRUST. Need a true definition of trust? Here you go: “hopeful reliance on what will happen in the future”.

 

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”  Psalm 84:11

 

God Will:

 

Take care of your needs – “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

 

Never leave you -  “...be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’”. Hebrews 13:5

 

Provide everything you need to enjoy life – “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17

 

     There is no cause for worry as God has promised to meet all your needs.

 

Lord God,

     Thank You for Your faithfulness as my heavenly Father. You have been both gracious and generous in meeting my needs all my life. Please hear my heart today as I trust You with everything I’m facing. No situation is too big for You. Nothing that happens to me escapes Your knowledge beforehand. Today, this day and every day to follow, help me learn to trust in You for my every need. I love Lord. In Your holy and precious name I pray, Amen.

Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands.

 

May it be said when the sun sets on my life that many of my dreams came true, I was important in the lives of others and I consistently and faithfully served Christ.  In the end, the last is all that matters.