Even Christian’s spend a lot of time worrying about the provisions of life. We might not worry about going hungry today, but we might focus on our 401k because we think that will provide for us in retirement. We might focus on the stock market too much to stockpile money for the future. These are ways of believers worry about the provisions of life that you and I need to get past.
Jesus promise
25 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[ 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Mt 6:25-33 – ESV)
Key points
Jesus’ point is simple, as a believer you should not be worried about the basic provisions of life like food, water, clothing and He finishes His speech with several key points in verses 32-33.
First, He reminds His people that the Gentiles are the ones worried about these things (v32a). That’s important because Gentiles at the time was a reference to non-believers in the One True God. This was not just a reference to non-Jewish people. It was a reference to pagans since the Gentiles had not been evangelized yet and were still non-believers.
The Lord’s point is that people who don’t know God worry about the provisions of life but His people should not be worried about them. When you worry about the provisions of life, you are thinking like a non-believer thinks! You are thinking like a pagan. They do not have faith, don’t live by faith, and aren’t saved by faith. You are not like them so don’t think like them!
Second, Jesus says that your Heavenly Father knows you need the provisions of life (v32b). This statement is important because He is not only making a statement that God knows you need these things, but it comes with the implication that of course God will provide those things. Why? Well, look at the term He used for God … Heavenly Father. That term for God makes Him your personal Father which shows you are His child. Now, is a perfect God the Father going to let His children go hungry? No. He is referred to as your Heavenly Father not only to show He is deeply committed to you as His child but also showing that He resides in Heaven as God who has the means to provide for you.
Third, Jesus makes the promise that God will provide for you (v33) as your Father.
Don’t worry
Don’t worry about your basic provisions of life like food, water, or clothing. Remember and have faith that God will provide. Jesus said so. Do you lean on your own understanding and doubt that God can provide for you supernaturally or do you live by faith that He can:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Pv 3:5-6)
… And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20)
Have faith in what Jesus said. He said God would take care of you so believe it. God has provided for His people supernaturally in the past and can do it for you in the future. Here are some examples:
- Manna for Israel (Ex 16:4-36)
- Quail for Israel (Num 11:31-32)
- Water for Israel (Ex 17:6)
- Elijah with ravens (1 Ki 17:2-6)
- Elijah being fed by an angel (1 Ki 19:5-8)
- Feeding of 5,000 (Jn 6:1-14)
- Feeding of 4,000 (Mt 15:32-39)
- Widows oil, water, and food (1 Ki 17:8-16)
- Feeding of 100 men (2 Ki 4:42-44)
- Water for Hagar and Ishmael (Ge 21:14-19)
God can and will do the same for you if you need it.
Think about it
Do you worry about your needs in the future?
What is the root of your worry? Do you think God is not able to provide for you? Do you think He won’t want to provide for you?
How does this passage help you to overcome that worry?
How will you fight worry about your need for provisions?
BIBLE DEVOTIONS FOR LIVING 