Another week of looking at the words of Jesus. It’s been a convicting and blessed week of study …
Memory Verse: “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
We opened the week with reading Matthew 6:19-24.
The study addresses the storing up of “treasures” and anxiety. Reading these verses in light of the current economy and inflation brought comfort.
Our Father knows what we need and all our needs. We can rest in His provision and in His character. He is faithful, He is loving, and will take care of His children.
These verses also bring the reminder of our responsibility to be good stewards of what we have been given. Keep our eyes on the Lord. Let all that we are, and all we have been given, honor Him and bring Him glory.
The study shares a quote by Sinclair Ferguson:
“The problem with anxious people is not merely that they think negatively about life. It is more radical than that. Anxious people think untheologically about life.”
(Sermon on the Mount, page 102)
How does theological thinking change our perspective? What truths about God can change your perspective today on your life or current situation?
As we see events unfold in our country, and globally, we need to remember God is sovereign over it all. We are to remember His character and His promises.
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Mid week had our focus on the word “seek” and Matthew 6:32-34.
As I read the verses, I thought of how many times verse 34 is quoted, or prayed, in an effort to get what one wants.
Over the years I have thankfully learned otherwise. It is when our desires are His desires that we get “all these things”.
“Jesus tells us that our natural and human inclination is to seek after “all the things.”
(Sermon on the Mount, page 111)
Our humanness can so get in the way! We must fight against our fallen state and stay focused. And the battle is real.
“We don’t have to be anxious about tomorrow, because we have a God who is already there.”
(Sermon on the Mount, page 112)
Our God is already there!! He is always steps ahead of us!
The study also reminds us:
- We don’t need to figure everything out.
- We don’t need to have a plan.
- We just need to trust and rely on the One who made the plan and already has our days figured out.
What does it mean to seek God in your daily life?
I have to admit, right now in this day, seeking God in my daily life is waking and saying out loud, “Lord, I am trusting You to work out Your plan in my family.” I may be uncertain on what the days ahead hold, but You, my God, are certain.”
And I will further admit, in simply saying those words, I take comfort in the fact that He is OK with my admission. He is OK with our uncertainty. He is OK with our questions. He is pleased when we choose to trust Him anyway.
May we seek Him AND trust Him!
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The week closed with reading Matthew 7:7-12; and what a powerful passage to read!
As we have been going through the Sermon on the Mount, we have been learning about the upside-down kingdom of Jesus. But it is also our hearts and lives that have been turned upside down.
And hopefully it is our prayer requests as well. As we lay down our needs before the throne of God, may our hearts be more aligned with the will and purposes of God.
It was verses 9-11 which grabbed my attention:
“Or what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (NASB)
Our heavenly Father is a good, good Father and He only gives and does what is for our good. The study makes this powerful point:
“Everything that He has given to you is good. Everything. Even the things that do not feel good in the moment. Even the things that you do not understand. Everything that He gives is good for us. So if we have not received it from Him – it wasn’t good for us.”
(The Sermon on the Mount, page 120)
Let that sink in.
When we believe that He has withheld from us, we are buying into the lie that God is not for us, that He does not give us that which is for our good.
This was the first lie that Adam and Eve fell for. May we not do the same. May we recognize that even when we do not receive what we were hoping for, even then – it was for our good.
The study asks: Based on what we have already seen Jesus teach in the Sermon on the Mount, what kind of things do you think we should be asking Him for?
May we ask for that which aligns with our Father’s heart!
~*~*~
As we remember God’s character and promises,
we learn to seek Him in our daily lives,
knowing He only does and gives what is for our good.
Photo 1: by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
Joanne, your words this morning are very timely for me. I totally understand your need to remind yourself that God is sovereign over all! What you’ve written also brings to mind a few quotes … one by Oswald Chambers from “My Utmost for His Highest” about being “certain in uncertainty” and another by Chuck Swindoll about “thinking theologically.” I’ll be revisiting those again today … 🙂
Lois, your mention of Chuck Swindoll about “thinking theologically” brings back to mind a quote I read last week on this subject. It was in a Bible Study I am working my way through (The Sermon on the Mount by The Daily Grace Co.). The quote has weaved its way so deeply into my heart and mind: “The problem with anxious people is not merely that they think negatively about life. It is more radical that that. Anxious people think untheologically about life!” (Sinclair Ferguson) The quote has made me realize how critical it is for us to think correctly about who God is and His character. I so appreciate you!
So true ma’am. I can’t always understand what God is doing, or why He’s is taking me down the path I’m on (and yes, I realize it’s to get me back on the path He wants me on most of the time), but I must remember that He has never failed to deliver me and He never will. His Word has earned my trust and faith in Him. Always enjoy your thoughts, observations, and insights ma’am. Thank you
Sometimes it is hard to accept that disappointment and tragedies are part of God’s plan for us, but the blessing is that He is with us through those trials. Your message is timely during these days of unrest and anxiety. We know the One on whom we can always depend.