Tag Archives: God’s provision

February 23
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“Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'” (Mark 2:27, NIV)

We need to challenge the thought that God’s laws and commandments are designed to spoil the joy of living, in the same manner that Jesus challenged the thought that God created humanity to obey a predetermined set of rules that are independent of our benefit.

All of God’s laws and commandments have two distinct purposes: To provide for us; and to protect us.

From the day that Adam and Eve were in the garden, humanity has resented God-imposed limits or boundaries without seeking to appreciate the benefits. It is akin to resenting traffic laws without considering the benefit to order and safety that such laws provide to both motorists and pedestrians.

As our heavenly Father, God wants only to protect us from unnecessary trouble and grief so that we might have life, and have it in all of its abundance.

We were not created to keep “the rules.”  The “rules” were created to keep us. Therefore, obey the Lord with faithfulness, joy, and thanksgiving!  – Luther

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February 13
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“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33, NLT)

If we’re not careful, we might think for a moment that God will leave us in the lurch; that is, without resources; without hope; and without help.

In such moments, remember our Lord’s reminder that our heavenly Father wants to give us everything — everything — that we will ever need. The key to having all that we will need, exactly when we will need it, and in a form that we can receive it, is to seek first the rule (read: kingdom) of God in our lives above all else.

As citizens of this world, we understand the rule of others, whether that “other” is civil law, or the unwritten laws of the social order.

As disciples of Jesus, we need to actualize the rule of God in our daily living by being obedient to His law, the first of which is that we should love our Lord God with all our being. . . Or, in the words of today’s scripture: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else. . .”

In the Kingdom of God, there are no paupers.  – Luther

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February 11
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“Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1, NIV)

There are times in life, as the psalmist in today’s scripture states, when it seems that God has departed on vacation; or is asleep; or is indifferent to our suffering. But don’t be fooled: God has not forgotten us, nor has He deserted us.

In such times, we need only reflect on our own personal history with our heavenly Father: The times when we thought Him late, but He was already at the point of decision — waiting. The times when we thought Him absent, but only because He was standing behind us. . . out of view. . . guarding our blind side. The times when we thought He was indifferent to our suffering, but He sent others to encourage us, to comfort us, to hold us; to hear us; and to wipe our tears.

No one loves us like our heavenly Father. No one.  – Luther

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