God's Mighty Provision and How to Trust Him
Are you doubting God’s provision in your life today? Are you having anxiety about something in your future?
Look no further than to how God provides for the insects and animals in nature and have
faith that God will provide the same thing for you.
The other day, I was sitting outside marveling at the beauty of a white crape myrtle tree in my backyard. As I looked at the bountiful white flowers the tree was covered in, I noticed the abundance of different insects on the tree. Just looking with my naked eye, I could see that there were at least 20 different bugs eating or resting in the shade from the tree buds and leaves. There were bees, wasps, dragonflies, beetles, gnats, and other bugs that I had no idea what they were on the flowers of the crape myrtles. I was astounded by the sheer number of bugs and insects that were on just this one crape myrtle tree.
It made me realize that God provides for even the tiniest of bugs and insects. How much more will He provide for me and for you?
God uses this analogy when Jesus speaks in Matthew 6:26-27 ESV about His provision and how we should not doubt His provision or be anxious or worry about His provision. “ 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?”
The insects on my crape myrtle tree did not plant that tree nor cultivate it. They did not store up their food in barns. Yet, God provides for the insects abundantly. So, truly how much more valuable are we to God as people made in His own image? And, how much more will He provide for you?
And the anxiety that comes from worrying about His provision, shortens our life and just isn’t worth the costs and toll it takes on us emotionally and physically. We only worsen our lives through worry.
Jesus’ words are true! So, we must trust in the Gospel of Matthew. At the end of Matthew 6:33-34, God gives us some advice on HOW TO TRUST HIM. He tells us that we should, “ 33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and characterof God], and all these things will be given to you also.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own.
The first step is to seek God. Spend time with Him and bask in His righteousness, and he says ALL these things will be given to you also. It doesn’t say some of these things, but ALL of these things.
And the second step is God is saying don’t worry about your future. Focus on today, not tomorrow. Leave tomorrow for God to figure out. This is a command; it is not a suggestion. And when we obey God and leave our worries at His feet, we find freedom and rest.
And, doesn’t freedom, rest, and trust sound so much better than the alternative?
So, surrender your worries today at the cross and at His feet.
Be Blessed,
Allison
To read all of Matthew 6:25-34 ESV click here.
