After His instructions as to prayer and fasting, the Lord Jesus lays down divine principles for guidance, to keep His own in separation from this world. The world doesn’t know God and is under the prince of the power of the air, which is Satan. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven ... for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” We’re happy if our hearts are set on things above where Christ is. But if our hearts are set on things down here, then those very things will prove a sorrow to us sooner or later. The Lord shows that “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.” Our hearts will be with what we value most. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon,” which means riches, here personified as man’s master in seeking to get on in this world. And so He says, “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. . . .” He would have us to have a peaceful trust about these things in the sure knowledge of the Father’s love and care. The Apostle could say, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Again, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Lessons in Dependence
Then follow further lessons to be learned. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. . . .” “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” If God takes care of these things in such a marvelous way, will He not take care of those who are His own through faith?
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” To the Jews the Gentiles were those without God, but we Christians have a Father in heaven who knows that we have need of these things. Why should we doubt His love?
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” If we make His glory down here our main concern, whether in our walk or in our service for Him, and if we give Him the first place in our lives, it will be His joy to take care of all our needs along the way. The Father is dealing with us in love for the glory. We can confide in Him, knowing that He knows best how to accomplish His purposes of grace.
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” How often there are those anxious fears about some evil coming tomorrow. But then how often when there is submission to the Father’s will about it, the dreaded sorrow is taken away, and the Lord meets us with unexpected kindness and goodness. He can turn even the sorrow into a blessing, for He makes all things work together for good to those that love Him, to them who are called according to His purpose.
Further Meditation
1. Who in the Bible was given refreshment when they were in a time of great stress?
2. What other promises does the Lord make to be with us in trial?
3. You might find The Last Words by H. Smith to be packed with help on resting in the Lord.