Perfect Promises, Perfect Plan – 28 April 2020

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

There’s a happy chirping and trilling outside the window as the wild birds devour the seed from the bird-feeder and fly away again, in time for the next flurry of visitors. Unlike many people at this time, they are free to come and go and enjoy the plentiful provision, and will return tomorrow. It’s not surprising that Jesus uses them as an example to urge us not to worry about tomorrow – we share the same loving, caring Father who never forgets about us.

There is such simplicity and wisdom in Jesus’ words when He speaks of trusting God and not worrying about anything. When He is our focus, we can enjoy His promise. If God is first in everything in life and we are following His will, we will trust Him in everything, and will recognize and enjoy His care of us, making our faith grow exponentially.

This is something we need to embrace consciously and intentionally. When we don’t, we panic when we’re in difficult situations; we make the wrong choices and lose our peace. We become self-centred instead of God-centred and hurt others, just like the big birds at the feeder sometimes do when they don’t give the smaller birds a chance to eat.

This is not God’s way. Observing God’s principles, and trusting Him fully, helps us to grow in faith in these everyday situations; it puts us in a place to see and wonder at the wonderful ways He has gone ahead of us to provide for us in our difficulties, because we know we have no true control over circumstances. In this way we learn to appreciate His promises and His care of us.

Jesus said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9–11)

Does our life mission give us peace and bring us joy? We can learn from trusting Jesus to grow our faith and experience true peace and joy through His promises.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You show us the importance of right priorities through Your consistent example. Help me to put God’s kingdom and His righteousness first in my life and to know Your joy and true peace. Amen