“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:26)
Three very important things are in this Scripture. The first is that the birds don’t work to eat. The second is that our heavenly Father is the One Who feeds them. And thirdly is that we are better than birds.
God has put in all the creatures of this earth an instinct to eat when food is found. None except maybe the squirrel store food for the future. All others instinctively are in a constant search for food from the earth. Some are prey, some hunt, but all search for food provided by our heavenly Father in the earth.
Our Father is Jehovah Jireh. He is the Lord Provider. We think we provide for ourselves by sowing, reaping and storing. While it’s true that if we don’t sow, reap and store, we will have nothing to eat, it’s also true that it’s the Lord Provider Who sees to it that we have something to sow, reap and store much like He provides for the birds and creatures of the earth and provides the beauty of flowers on the earth. (Matthew 6:36-38)
Jesus questions further. Can you add anything to your age, your years or height? That is how impossible it is without our Father’s provision. Jesus is saying you can sow all you want, but there will be nothing to reap and nothing to store without our Father’s provision. So why do you worry? (Matthew 6:27, 28, 30)
And why do we worry? Jesus says it’s lack of faith. (Matthew 6:30) Over and over while Jesus walked this earth, He encountered lack of faith. In this verse, Jesus points out that worry is lack of faith. Here Jesus says worrying about provision of the necessary essentials for living, food and clothing is lack of faith. When the disciples were out in the boat and in danger, Jesus asks them why are they fearful? Is it a lack of faith? (Mark 4:40; Luke 8:25) When Peter walked on the water and began to sink, Jesus says, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14:31)
Kingdom living is a life of faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. “(Hebrews 11:6) Paul exhorts us, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:6-8)
Lack and danger lurk in the mind. While lack or danger may be real, our fear and worry about it is mental. We cannot be foolish and squander God’s provision. Nor can we be foolish and careless about where we go. But when lack arises or when danger presents itself, change your mindset. Paul tells us what to think on. What is honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report and has virtue and praise? It’s God’s Word. Remember that when Paul wrote this, the Bible was not written yet. The New Testament Scriptures were not written until there was a collection of Paul’s letters. Later came the Gospels that the apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John wrote. We are so privileged to have these writings and teachings because we now have available to us in concise form what we need to think on. We have at our disposal what is honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report and the things that have virtue and praise to read and meditate on.
If we have lack of food, we can think on God’s provision. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread.” (Psalm 37:25) Is there lack? Paul told those who provided for his needs, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) Is there danger? “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13:6).
Paul said, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17) When worry and anxiety come because of anything, we need faith. We need the Word of God. The Word of God builds faith, faith in God’s promise and faith in God.
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