If obeying commands from the Lord have levels of required diligence, this may likely be at the top.
Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 21, 24, 26, & 28 – And God said . . .
_____________________
Read the following verse from Matthew 6:25-34 closely. It is a short verse. Read it several times. It is verse 31; “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” This verse, my dear friend, requires as much diligence and focus to obey as any verse in the Bible, and in many cases, a lot more. Allow me to give you some examples, and you can decide for yourself how easy it would be to completely apply this verse to them.
- You have all the monthly expenses everyone else has, no savings, plus a large monthly house or rent payment, and you’ve just been told your job is ending at week’s end.
- You are at the doctor’s office with your child when the doctor shares his diagnosis of a terminal illness for your child, for which there is no cure.
- You file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company for devastating flood damage, and you are told you have no flood insurance.
I’ll stop there. That’s enough depressing news to hear about, much less have to face one of those situations in reality. Hearing news like this, how much thought would the average Christian give to it? how much sleep would he lose? How much worry, anxiety, and emotional stress would such events bring upon the average Christian. No, I’m not being judgmental. I am simply asking you to think. How would any one of those scenarios impact you personally. I personally believe that hearing such things could be staggering, at least for a moment.
But what has the Lord commanded us concerning such things? Read Matthew 6:31 once again. “Therefore take no thought saying….” Keep in mind that the Lord never said such things would not come against you. However, He DID say, no weapon formed against you shall prosper. He DID say that you should cast all your care on Him for He cares for you. He DID say to be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto the Lord.
Think of this. From Jesus’s early years, at least 12, onward, He knew what crucifixion was. I’m sure He had seen its horrid image before His very eyes. He grew up under Roman rule, and Golgotha would have already been a spot where crucifixions were held. He also knew from the prophecies what would be done to Him at some future point Yet, He endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of Father “for the joy that was set before Him.” How can one live with joy, all the while knowing that crucifixion was in their future? Yet, He did so without fail. No worry, no fear, no anxiety, no fretfulness. He lived what He preached so we can do the same. He’s talking to you.
Manna for Today – Genesis 1; Psalm 119:89; Proverbs 4:20-23; Mark 11:22-26; Romans 3:4
My Second Miler by Dr. Beechard Moorefield 