Luke 12:22-23 (ESV)
[22] And he said to his
disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you
will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. [23] For life is more than
food, and the body more than clothing.
When I was younger, I worried a
lot about these things. The car broke down, what will we do? The hospital wants
the bill paid, the IRS is demanding money, one of the kids is sick and we have
no money, what are we going to do? But I have to tell you that God provided. Somehow
God provided perfect strangers on a dark night in Nebraska when our car broke
down. He provided food. Our family never went hungry. Looking back, I have no
idea how we lived for four years in Dallas and finished seminary with no debt
to the school. The IRS settled our debt to them. We had nothing saved for
retirement, yet here we are with a home, a car, and food on the table.
To the one facing the anxiety of paying
bills, putting food on the table, buying medicine for sick kids, I know that
doesn’t ease your anxiety. I heard the stories of God’s provisions by other
pastors, ministry leaders, missionaries, and church members when I was young.
Somehow it didn’t ease my anxiety. Yet God provided. It wasn’t always easy. I
lived pretty much on peanut butter sandwiches for four years, but God provided.
When we couldn’t see a way forward, God provided. How much time and energy were
wasted worrying instead of trusting. Yet God was faithful.
As Jesus said, “life is more than
food and the body more than clothing.” God feeds the ravens, and according to
verse 24, we are of much more value that the birds. What is Jesus’ challenge at
the end of this teaching? “seek his kingdom and these things will be added to
you. . . . For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Lk 12:31-34).
Seek his kingdom. Seek him. Trust him!
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