Worries abound in
our world. Maybe it’s always been that way, but it sure feels so these days.
Uncertainties can set us on edge, particularly money troubles, in these
difficult economic times.
- Where will we find grocery money this month?
- How will we fill our gas tanks?
- Can we make the mortgage payment?
- How are we going to write that check for the heating bill?
- What about taxes?
- Who will pay for our health care costs?
These concerns are
very real, and even more so for families living in the starkest economic
uncertainty. We get that. How could we not? Most of us find ourselves right
there, right now, at least to some degree.
But God gets it
too. He is Jehovah Jireh, the Great Provider. And He has not forgotten us.
Can you recall any
worrisome moments when God stepped in and met a specific need? How did His
provision impact your faith?
Even the
wealthy have worries.
Earlier this week,
I attended a fund-raiser in a mega-mansion. The place was enormous, ornate, and
lavishly furnished. Caterers in white coats passed trays of dainty gourmet
appetizers. A tuxedoed bartender poured cocktails, sodas, and designer waters
for the guests.
It would
have been easy to assume the apparently wealthy hosts were worry-free.
But they weren’t.
The couple is
reeling from a high-profile legal battle, stemming from a seedy scandal. The
host, a local business mogul, lost both his parents quite suddenly to two different illnesses within the
past 18 months. His wife completed her second round of chemotherapy two months
ago and is just beginning to feel somewhat normal again. That trendy hairstyle
she sported at the party is actually a wig.
Their coffers may
be full, or they may not. Their pantry and wardrobe closets may be
well-stocked. How would we know?
But they clearly carry
plenty of worries. Look closely, and you can see it on both of their faces. It
might be hard to walk in their well-heeled shoes, after all.
Today’s
Bible promise fits the bill.
Therefore do not worry,
saying,
“What shall we eat?” or
“What shall we drink?” or
“What shall we wear?”
For after all these things
the Gentiles seek.
For your heavenly Father
knows
that you need all these
things.
But seek first the kingdom of
God
and His righteousness,
and all these things will be
added to you.
(Matthew 6:31-33, NKJV)
What a promise. Do
you believe it? Have you seen it?
Of course,
we’ve all heard platitudes and pat answers about casting aside worries.
People love to tell
us everything’s gonna be alright, as if things naturally work out, whether we
pay attention or not. Sometimes those sorts of statements only seem to make us
feel worse.
But, God’s promises
are immeasurably bigger than empty platitudes. And, when we do find our most
troubling needs suddenly or miraculously met, what a wonder it can be.
Surely, no
one wants to hover on the edge of mayhem.
But when we look
back, after an out-of-the-blue answer has appeared, we may be surprisingly
encouraged. We can see how God has stepped into our lives in a tangible,
practical way.
Maybe ... just maybe ... we would have missed that faith-boost, if we’d never faced
the crisis in the first place.
Image/s:
Scripture Graphic and
30 days of God’s Promises
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