Warriors Arise: January 29, 2024
Matthew 6:30-33 "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
“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 shall be added to you."
Was Jesus trying to insult the people? He tells them, "O you of little faith" followed by "for after all these things the Gentiles seek". They would not have wanted to be labeled as not having enough faith to believe God for clothing and food nor would they want to be likened to a Gentile. If they were not understanding Jesus' heart and choose to be insulted, then we understand why some went away grumbling.
I believe Jesus is saying there should be a difference between God's children and the Gentiles. I believe He was saying for them to believe Who was right in front of them and the demonstrations of God's love He was doing. There had been no one like Jesus. Elisha was recorded as doing fourteen miracles. No one had healed all the sick, lame or blind that had come to them. No one had delivered all who came to them. No one had raised the dead on two occasion. But Jesus did.
He wasn't calling them a Gentile. He is pointing out a truth. They had allowed themselves to get wrapped up in the same worries as the Gentiles. However, there is no reason for this if they would have an increase in their faith in God.
The two "insults" are linked. If we have more faith in God then we would not worry as the Gentiles. We would believe God's love would compel Him to take care of us. It wouldn't matter what we needed. With faith, we would believe God to provide for us. God's love causes Him to supply for our need. If we need food, God will make a way for us to receive food. If we need clothing, God will make a way for us to have the needed clothing.
We have a number of personal examples of God provided for us. When Scott and I started the health program, we had no idea where we were going to get the money to pay for the healthy food the program required. I was used to fixing meals for our family of seven with one chicken breast or one pound of meat. We were going to need more of the right kinds of food. I was used to buying lots of potatoes, noodles and rice to "fill" the meals, making each one last eat least two mealtimes. Eatting healthy was going to be costly. I didn't know where the money was going to come from. I believed in my heart, God wanted us to do this and He would provide. Scott and I were in terrible health and we needed to get our health back. We stuck to the program and God provided for the money for the food and restored our health. Needless to say, we both needed a new wardrobe by the time our health back. I went from a size 3X to a M. God provided for the clothes.
A tremendous blessing was when God provided through others when we lost everything in a garage fire. We had kept all of our winter clothes in totes in the garage. We lost a lot and insurance didn't cover anything. It was a detached garage so it wasn't included in the renter's insurance. However, we had several people who gave us winter clothes, coats, snow pants, and boots. God provided through these people. They were a bless to our family in our time of need. One of my brothers bought me a new set of golf clubs and the other bought Scott a set of tools! Someone else bought the girls new bikes. God's added bonuses. God will provide for His children.
My Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom, your will be done one earth as it is in heaven. I am grateful for Your provision. I had to trust You for the food and You provided. I had to trust you for the clothes and You provided. I was willing to live without and You provided. You take care of my needs and along the way You give bonuses. Thank You for the people in my life who have given when we were in need. Thank You for Your love to provide for me and my family. I am humbled by Your love. You take care of me. I trust You. Your love is amazing. I trust You to provide in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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