God is So Good!

"Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, 'That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?

Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.'" (Luke 12:22-32 Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.)

 “That’s why I’m telling you to stop worrying about your life—what you will eat or what you will drink—or about your body—what you will wear. Life is more than food, isn’t it, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t plant or harvest or gather food into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. You are more valuable than they are, aren’t you? Can any of you add a single hour to the length of your life by worrying? And why do you worry about clothes? Consider the lilies in the field and how they grow. They don’t work or spin yarn, but I tell you that not even Solomon in all of his splendor was clothed like one of them. Now if that is the way God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and thrown into an oven tomorrow, won’t he clothe you much better—you who have little faith?

So don’t ever worry by saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ because it is the unbelievers who are eager for all those things. Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them! But first be concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well. So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34 ISV)

I've pondered these verse much of my life.  They contain such amazing promises, but are SO hard to put into practice!  "Don't worry!"  It sounds wonderful, but is much easier to say than to do!  And yet I once again had the experience yesterday of having the burden of worry lifted from my shoulders.  Today I reach another milestone in my new endeavors that will require a couple of hours of public speaking - and yesterday I found I was starting to lose my voice!  I wanted to practice and prepare for today, but knew that I needed to let my voice rest - in fact, let my whole body rest as I was feeling a little under the weather.  My usual way of reacting to such a thing would have been to really start worrying, but all I could think of was the verse I'm so often reminded of these days, "Seven times each day I stop and should praises for the way you keep everything running right." (Psalms 119:164 - The Message Bible) - so I praised God instead, and rested as I knew I needed to do!  Everything has worked out with time to spare!  I find myself continually amazed at how well God works everything out.  And then I have to laugh at myself.  I've always said I believed in God, so why would I be so surprised that He can work everything out?

One of the reasons I was able to relax and trust yesterday was that He had already clearly demonstrated earlier that very day that He was in charge.  Several scheduling conflicts had been completely resolved without my having done ANYTHING about them!  I have seen so many of such experiences lately that I do indeed start breaking out in praise for the way God keeps everything running right!  This morning as I was contemplating this and thanking Him, I found myself wondering why I've seen so much of this lately when it wasn't something I saw a lot of before this.  That is when these passages from Matthew and Luke came to mind. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33 KJV)  

I realize that I HAVE been more consistently seeking His will in my life - even though it still has not been as constant as I would wish.  And then I remember another verse, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20 NIV) 

Too often my faith does indeed seem as small as that of a mustard seed, but that is all that God asks!  And even that little bit of faith is not something I somehow conjured up, but is a gift that He has given me! The scheduling resolution is a great example of this gift, as I couldn't help but trust Him for the rest after I had seen such amazing miracles already! "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)  I am SO grateful for the many gifts God has given, and most importantly this morning, for the gift of faith, and for the way He does indeed keep everything running right when I relax and let Him do His perfect work!  I recognize this is something I'm able to do more and more as I remember to focus on His blessings in my life and to thank Him for the way He "keeps everything running right."

So, once again this morning, Father, I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right!  I am SO inspired as I watch your plan unfold in my life!  You've promised that your yoke is easy, but I guess I never before realized how very true those words are!  Once again, Father, I seek your will in my life this day.  May I be open and receptive to your gentle guidance as you continue to work in me both to WILL and to DO of your good pleasure.  I think of all those with whom I'll come in contact this evening.  May I be a channel of blessing for them, Father!  Thank you for this "open door" you've set before me, and for the promise that YOU are building this "house", and that indeed, you "keep everything running right".  You are so amazing, Father, and I am SO grateful!  I continue to look to you to keep everything running right today, and I thank you.  Amen.