Thursday, March 19, 2015

Kingdom Character—Part 3

From today's devotional

There are perhaps no more reassuring words in the Bible which evidence God’s personal, protective and provisioning care for each of us than those spoken by our Lord Jesus. In Matthew 6:25–34 He so clearly links us with the Father’s heart for all His creation that we see two lessons at once. 

First, creation itself has not been surrendered to mere self-perpetuating care. God has invested something of His own self in His creation, in the same way artists or craftsmen pour their skills—and thereby their fullest interest—into their work. 

Second, humankind are the peak of the Father’s creative masterwork; endowed uniquely with His image and possessed of rare potential both temporal and eternal. No wonder He cares as He does! And therefore, Jesus affirms to us: The Father won’t overlook your need, so don’t worry! 

But in this context our Lord does tell us what we are to concern ourselves with. He says, Do seek the interests of God’s Kingdom! Do love. Do serve. Do help the fallen. Do reach out with salvations power and grace. Our appointed schedule of priorities is established: ”You take first interest in the things that concern My desire to reach, touch and love others, and I’ll take care of everything that concerns you."