God Even Clothes the Grass in the Field
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February 09, 2014 |
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 "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'
For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:31-33).
Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee
Few people live with no worries, concerns, or problems. However, we can always rejoice, give thanks, and enjoy a happy life even though we are in hardship. This is because God, who even clothes the grass in the field, is our Father.
Then, as God's children, how can we enjoy a truly happy and valuable life without worrying about clothes, food, and housing?
1. God the Father knows everything
In Matthew 6:25-27 Jesus said, "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?"
Would Jesus say this if men were able to solve their problems by worrying about them? God the Father created the heavens, the earth, and all things in them with His Word and knows what His children need. He also wants them to live in peace with no worries and no anxiety. That is why He told us that our anxiety cannot resolve our problems but only when we lay them down and commit every problem to God in complete trust we can enjoy true peace and receive answers to our prayers.
Not one of us can add a single hour to our life by worrying. But, for God the Almighty there is nothing that is impossible. Moreover, He can provide His beloved children with all they need. That is why He said, "Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on."
The birds of the air do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet God our heavenly Father feeds them. So they fly freely with no anxiety. The lilies of the field grow beautifully although they do not toil nor do they spin because God grows them.Then, what about men who were created in the image of God and who can't be compared to the birds in the air or the lilies in the field? Does not God feed us and allow us to grow well?
2. To enjoy a truly valuable life
King Solomon ruled over his nation in stability because his father King David put strong foundations in terms of politics, economy, and military. 1 Kings 10:23 reads, "So King Solomon became greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom." We can only imagine how great the glory of King Solomon was!
The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the lowland. When the queen of Sheba perceived all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his waiters and their attire, his cupbearers, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her (1 Kings 10:4-5).
However, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of the lilies. People have to toil to eat, clothe themselves, buy their residences, get many things they want and glorify themselves. However, the flowers in the field bloom at the right time even though they do not toil. That is why not even Solomon in all his gory could clothe himself like one of these lilies (Matthew 6:29).
So, Solomon who enjoyed all kinds of wealth, glory, and fame said in Ecclesiastes 1:3, "What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun?" He wanted people to realize the fact that everything is in vanity and that only fearing God and keeping His commandments is the duty of man.
To realize man will have no advantage in all his work and lead a life of value, we should pursue true and eternal things that will never vanish.
3. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness
Matthew 6:33 reads, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." God already knows what we need in leading our lives in the world so He tells us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness before asking for what we need.
Here, to seek 'His [God's] kingdom' refers to saving souls. To guide unbelieving people to church and lead them to become God's children is to seek His kingdom. As the witness of the Lord, we should evangelize our siblings, parents, and relatives and preach the gospel in workplaces and businesses. And we should pray fervently for our country, nation, and the world mission. As many people reach salvation, the kingdom of God prospers, so we should pray for souls' salvation all the time and preach the gospel to people. We must be ready in season and out of season.
Then, what does it mean to seek His righteousness? It is to resemble the Lord. 1 Peter 1:16 says, "You shall be holy, for I am holy". Matthew 5:48 reads, "… you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Thus, to seek God's righteousness means to pray to become a righteous man who practices the Word of God.
When you accept Jesus Christ you will receive the Spirit and you are able to understand God's Word with His help. You will learn about sins, righteousness, and judgment and be led by the Spirit and keep the Word of God. To come into Light and become holy like God in this way is to accomplish God's righteousness.
If we become a person who seeks God's righteousness, we can receive the blessing of our souls' prosperity and everything going well and becoming healthy both in spirit and body. Some people say, "I have worked diligently as a church leader, but I now want to focus only on prayer to become sanctified without working as a leader." They want to only seek God's righteousness without seeking God's kingdom, but it is not the will of God.
God wants us to seek both His kingdom and righteousness. When we work hard for the kingdom of God, that is, the salvation of souls, He will give us strength and power from above so that we can achieve His righteousness and extend His kingdom greatly.
God clearly tells us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and He says then all these things will be added to you.
However, why do people still have worries and anxiety? This is because their faith is small. They do not believe God is omniscient and omnipotent and doubt Him. That is why they are still worried about many things. But believers who live in the Word of God seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, and then God takes all responsibility for their problems and matters including their clothes, food, and houses. So they don't have to worry about anything.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I hope you will seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, that is, save souls in order to lead a truly valuable life. In addition, I pray in the name of the Lord you will become a righteous man who lives by faith. Be blessed for your souls to prosper and for everything to go well with you!
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