Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Thursday, November 12, 2015
Today’s Scripture Promise:
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:31–33).
Today’s Observation:
Today’s promise is a paradigm shifter! It seems illogical to take no thought of obvious daily needs. We all must eat. We all must have lots to drink. We must all wear clothing. Why would Jesus say that if we have concerns about these basic necessities, we are striving like ungodly people?
The fact is that the Bible is very clear that we need to be productive, work, and plan for the future. It is also clear that men who claim to be of faith but do not provide for their families are worse than overtly ungodly people. What gives here?
Worry is a stealthy assassin that seeks to distract our focus from absolute trust in God, to self and the cares of this life. Most of us either spend most of our time working (even overworking) or planning business strategies to the exclusion or extreme neglect of our holy calling. Some are more concerned with making ends meet than meeting our King in the end. If this is you, or me, we need to get our minds right. In His promise He gave a simple formula: If we trust Him enough to put Him and His goals for our day first, He will take care of our needs. He will give us wisdom, food, clothing, and shelter if we give Him priority, worship, love, and undivided attention. This is a simple concept, but most do not have faith enough to believe, especially when times get rough. We need a spiritual paradigm shift.
Today’s Marching Orders:
Actively resist the urge to take life into your own hands. This does not mean to become careless. This means that whenever you have a need, always remember that God knows about it too. And with that submit to His program and watch Him maximize your efforts with no need to worry. He will always provide, if we always submit.
