When you are an online teacher and lose your internet connection, the Lord knows you need it to work.
When you work outside and your car breaks down, the Lord knows you need it to get to work.
When you need to make a living to provide for your family, the Lord knows you need a job.
Christians can rest, knowing that God knows their needs (Matthew 5:8) and is able to provide them.
He knows all things (e.g. John 16:30, 1 John 3:20, Hebrews 4:13).
But how we respond to our needs and crises indicates whether we are seeking first the kingdom of God or not.
Do we panic, get angry and rage (cf. James 1:19)? Then we are not seeking first the Kingdom of God.
Do we respond in faith that God knows our needs and will provide? Then we are seeking the Kingdom of God.
Do we yield to God's will for us (Matthew 6:10) or live with weak faith (Matthew 6:30)?
The Lord, speaking in the Sermon on the Mount, said,
... your Father knoweth what things ye have need of (Matthew 6:8).
... Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on (Matthew 6:25).
... shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith (Matthew 6:30).
He spoke of the birds not worrying about their needs, yet God provides for them (Matthew 6:26).
He spoke of the lilies of the field that do nothing, yet the Lord arrays them in fine attire (Matthew 6:28–30).
And leads to the lesson to be learned . . .
... but seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).
And what is His righteousness?
Jesus Christ, the righteousness of God (1 John 2:1).
If we seek Christ first, seek His face in our hardships, and seek to nurture our relationship with Him, we will exude Christlike attitudes and behaviors (cf. John 15:4).
The Lord says, follow me, do not worry about what you need, because the Father in Heaven knows exactly what you need. Not only that, but He knows exactly how to provide it—often in ways that we do not expect—to His glory.
God can be honored in our trials when we seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
One way, we promote the kingdom of God and His glory, the other way we act just like the world: worrying, angry, searching for solutions at all costs.
One way, we worry ourselves into health complications, the other way we show how great our God is: all-knowing, compassionate, provider, merciful, and gracious.
One way we rage and ruin our testimony, the other way God is glorified in our Christlike behaviors.
One way, we act like the world (Matthew 6:32), the other, we act as God's peculiar people (1 Peter 2:14).
Conclusion
This was a convicting post to write. I am writing it as I wrestle with one of the problems listed at the beginning of the article.
It takes grace to walk in faith.
In those times, stop, seek God, pray for grace to respond instead of react. Of ourselves this is impossible because we are fallen creatures. That is why when we do not react, but respond in faith, it is a supernatural occurrence that glorifies God on this earth. It shows our reliance upon His power, His mercy and grace, and His provision.
Rather than seeking to solve the problems on our own through worry or effort, we look to God to provide the answers. Seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first, is an act of humility (cf. James 4:10).
If you are reading this and moved to comment, please do. But understand this, God knows what you need, just put Him first, not by the power of the flesh, but by the power of humble submission to His will.
[End]
Written by Jerry Smith
Image source: Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash
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