“Therefore I tell you, do not worry
about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your
body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than
food and the body more important than clothes?” Matt. 6:25
Some years ago, there was
a large clothing store that had a drawing for a shopping
spree worth several thousand dollars. So I put my name in
the box and walked away confident that I was going to win
because I was a Christian. I felt sure that the Lord would
help me win the contest because our family desperately
needed clothes. I thought surely He understood and would
provide through the winning of the shopping spree, so I
waited in hopeful anticipation.
Since the mall was in
another city, I had to make special plans to return on the
specified day of the drawing. So at the appointed time, my
daughter and I made our way to the store and stood outside
with other hopeful people. As someone from the store removed
a card from the box, I held my breath waiting to hear my
name being called. But when the name was called out, I
suddenly had a sickening feeling because the name that was
called out wasn’t mine. Needless to say, my daughter and I
walked away wondering if God had let us down. Now, keep in
mind this was years ago when trusting in God for His
provision was a new thing for me. You know, it takes time
to learn those things, and we learn them little by little
and with each test that we take along life’s road.
When I had time to sleep
on my crushed feelings, I turned to the Word of God. I
remember it as if it were yesterday the passage in
Matthew 6 that the Lord led me to where He strongly
emphasized through His Word that I should not worry about
what I would eat or what I would wear. His Word said if God
can clothe the grass of the field, then how much more would
He not clothe us? In fact, His Word said not to worry about
those things at all because even the pagans run after them
and our Heavenly Father knows what we need anyway. He goes
on to tell us in Matthew 6:28:
And why take ye thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of
the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they
spin.
Sometimes I wonder if we
as Christians actually realize who we belong to and why we
worry like we do about what we will eat or what we will
wear? If God can feed the birds of the air, then why
wouldn’t He feed us? If our earthly fathers can take care
of us by feeding and clothing us, then why wouldn’t our
Heavenly Father do even greater things for us? I’m reminded
of another Scripture from Matthew 7:9:
Or what man is there among you who, if
his son
asks for bread, will give him a stone?
You’re probably wondering
if God ever came through for my family to supply us with
clothing. Yes, He sure did, but you know what else? He did
it “His” way, not mine. He never does things the way “we”
seem to think He will. He doesn’t need us telling Him what
to do because actually He’s pretty capable all by Himself
without our help. After all, He has been God for a very
long time. He has everything under control just fine
without us telling Him when and where to act.
I believe that there may
be someone reading this message today that needs to know
that God is with you, you are NOT alone and that He will
provide for you and your family. Maybe this last past year
has brought about a turn of events; you feel desperate and
you do not know how you will feed and clothe your children.
I have to tell you with all sincerity that God is with you
and will provide. He tells us in His Word how to pray from
the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:11) and all we need
to do is ask. And even the Psalmist David said in
Psalm 37:25 (NIV):
“I was young, and now I am old, yet I
have never seen the
righteous forsaken or their children
begging bread.”
There is an old song that
comes to mind that tells us that we’ll never, ever walk
alone. Be encouraged as you read the words . . . and
remember to consider the lilies.
You'll Never Walk Alone
Words and Music by Oscar Hammerstein
II - Richard Rogers
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of a storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your
heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone
Prayer: Father, I come to you and
thank You for all You provide for us. Thank You for the
food you give us and the clothes we wear. We appreciate your
provision for us. Lord, for that one who might have great
needs and wondering how she or he will clothe and feed their
children, I pray for them especially. Lord provide for
their needs. Some of us have been there and understand that
need, but you always provided and have continued to this
day. You have never let us down. Thank you again for all
you do. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Time Out For God
