Beyond Common Sense

My son has lost his job. My other son has just finished his doctorate and is searching for a job . The amazing thing about both situations is the calm and clear heads God has given both of these young men. While talking to them over the weekend, I realized that they are not falling apart because they are firmly anchored on the Rock! No greater joy!!! And if I could quote one of my favorite bloggers Wendy L. Macdonald, she says, “My faith is not shallow because I’ve been rescued from the deep.” ( I LOVE that, Wendy!)

The following devotional is from Days of Praise. May it be a blessing. I LOVE when God plans in the past what we will need in the future. Who know when this devotion was written, but isn’t it just what we need today?! Thank you , Institute for Creation Research, for your wonderful, scripture packed insights!

“But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Luke 12:31)

In these days of financial worries and rampant materialism, it does us good to reflect on Christ’s teaching concerning our priorities. In this passage, He was teaching His disciples not to be troubled over temporal things (v. 22), but to rest in the fact that He will supply our needs. “If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (v. 28). We are not to have our mind set on material things (v. 29), neither are we to be “of doubtful mind” wavering between hope and fear of the future.

We are to be different. We are children of the King and are in His care. The “nations of the world seek after” (v. 30) these things. Our Father knows that we have need of certain things, and since He loves us and has our best interests at heart, we have nothing to “fear” and can be assured that “all these things shall be added unto [us]” (v. 31). (emphasis added)

But more is involved. It is not enough simply to avoid improper fixation on the things of the world; we are to seek rather “the Kingdom of God”; we are to be about His business. His priorities should be our priorities. We must strive to know Him and His Word so well that we naturally conform our actions to His desires. If we do so, He not only will take pleasure in supplying our physical needs (v. 31), but also “it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (v. 32).

It is our privilege to participate in His work on Earth as He enables. Our part may be to give: “Sell [what you] have, and give alms,” thereby storing up “a treasure in the heavens that faileth not” (v. 33), or to pray, “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (v. 34). If our primary desire is to enhance the work of the Kingdom, then He will give us that desire, and we will see fruit which lasts for eternity. JDM