A new creation, our paradigm shift

A new creation, our paradigm shift

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new creation. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Romans 6:4 Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Ephesians 4:22-24

 22 Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.

 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.

The phrase “paradigm shift” is used frequently in modern colloquial English across many fields of endeavor. What does it mean, and what is its origin?

Thomas Kuhn, a twentieth-century physicist and philosopher of science (1922-1996), coined the term “paradigm shift” in his influential work titled The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, published in 1962. To understand the meaning of “paradigm shift,” it is necessary to know what a paradigm is.

Initially, a paradigm denoted a framework or model encompassing a collection of beliefs, assumptions, and practices that guide scientific inquiry and research within a particular discipline. It was a “conceptual framework” comprising the accepted theories and methodologies influencing scientific research and understanding.

A paradigm shift signifies a fundamental change in a scientific discipline’s underlying assumptions, concepts, and approaches. A new scientific paradigm or framework replaces the old. For example, Ptolemy’s astronomy gave way to Copernican astronomy. The physics of Einstein supplanted Newton’s physics.

Eventually, the term paradigm shift spread to social sciences and beyond. It became a buzzword in popular culture. It now refers to a revolutionary and dramatic change.

All children of the King have experienced a significant paradigm shift. Regrettably, few know this, and fewer still live it out.

2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

When we become children of the King, we are in Christ. This term is used 27 times in Paul’s writings. “This phrase, ‘in Christ’ can mean several things that are not mutually exclusive: that one belongs to Christ, that one lives in the sphere of Christ’s power, that one is united with Christ, or that one is part of the body of Christ, the believing community” (Garland). Practically speaking, being in Christ means having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ based upon our faith in Him and identification with His Death, Burial, and Resurrection.

Being in Christ is a dramatic and remarkable change from what has come before. It should bring about a radical change in the way we think, live, and relate to others.

The Greek word translated as creation, creature, being, or person is ktisis. In Paul’s writings, Ktisis nearly always means creation rather than creature. New creation, in Greek, is literally “kainos ktisis.” This Greek phrase has no verb or pronoun. Therefore, translators typically supply he is, or there is.

What does this paradigm shift entail?

REFLECT & PRAY

“Whenever a person comes to be part of the body of Christ by faith, there is a new act of creation on God’s part. One set of conditions or relationships has passed out of existence; another set has come to stay” (Murray J. Harris).

Father thank You for providing a whole new way for me to live. I can hardly take it in. I am no longer a prisoner of the past. I have been redeemed and set free to live a new life because of my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Encourage me to make it so.

INSIGHT

2 Corinthians 5:17 Old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

What are the old things? The old things characterized our lives before we became children of the King. The REB renders it “the old order.”

The term “old” (archaios) refers to something that has existed since the beginning, being “ancient,” yet has become ridiculously old-fashioned, outdated, or worn-out, akin to polyester leisure suits, bell-bottoms, and avocado kitchen appliances. These items were once fashionable in the 1970s, but their obsoleteness becomes painfully apparent when compared to the new, what is currently in vogue.

This parallel can also be drawn between the old creation and the new. The contrast between the old life and the new life in Christ, experienced by the transformed believer, is like night and day. There is truly no comparison.

We are no longer prisoners of our former days, bound by the shackles of our past. We are freed from the limitations of the past. We are no longer bound by the memories of darkness and shame. We are no longer victims. We have emerged, redeemed from everything that has held us fast.

Take a moment and reflect. What do you want most side of life? What are you seeking after and longing for? What are the deepest longings of your heart? What drives you and motivates you?

“To Paul, the Christian is, in his favorite phrase, in Christ; and therefore the old self of the Christian died in that death, and a new person arose, as new as if freshly created by the hands of God.”

“In this newness of life, Christians have acquired a new set of standards. They no longer judge things by the standards the world uses. There was a time when Paul had judged Christ by human standards and had set out to eliminate the Christian faith from the world. But not now. Now his standards are different.”


“Now the man whose name he had sought to obliterate is to him the most wonderful person in the world because [the Lord Jesus Christ] had given to him that friendship of God which he had longed for all his life” (Barclay).

Colossians 3:9-10

  9 You have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.

 10 Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

The implications of this are utterly staggering. Being in Christ should bring about a paradigm shift, a radical change in a person’s life. We are to look forward, not backward. Instead of focusing on ourselves, we become Christ-centric.

Philippians 3:13-14

 13 Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,

 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

“Paul could think more deeply than anyone who ever tried to express the Christian faith; he could travel along uncharted pathways of thought; he could scale the heights of the human mind, where even the best-equipped theologians find it hard to follow him; but always at the end of his letters, he turns to the practical consequences of it all. He always ends with an uncompromising and crystal-clear statement of the ethical demands of Christianity in the situation in which his friends are at the moment” (Barclay).

Paul lays down an explicit, unequivocal demand. “Put to death every part of yourself which is against God and keeps you from fulfilling his will” (Barclay). A radical transformation is required of our desires and actions. Any elements preventing them from fully complying with God’s commands or completely submitting to Christ must be meticulously excised.

Romans 6:4 Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

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© Dr. H 2023

The paradox of cooperation ∙∙

The paradox of cooperation ∙∙

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling – Philippians 2:12

Hebrews 13:20-21

 20 Now may the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood –

 21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.

A Des Moines-based medium-sized business encountered challenges completing its projects on time. After careful assessment, the management determined that the responsibility rested primarily with the managers themselves. From them, it just trickled down to many of their employees. The workers seemed to be slacking off, huddled in little groups talking to each other and consuming extraordinary amounts of time with their cell phones. They were not getting the job done!

To address this situation, the management opted for a motivational approach infused with humor rather than resorting to disciplinary measures. They took the initiative to display a notice on the employee bulletin board, which contained the following message:

“It has come to the attention of management that some of its employees apparently are dying on the job but failing to fall down. It has become impossible to distinguish between those that are dead and those that are still alive. This practice must stop. Therefore, any employee found dead in the upright position will immediately be terminated and dropped from the payroll.”

Good leaders and managers take responsibility for both good and bad outcomes. They establish realistic goals and serve as role models for their teams. They ensure that all necessary resources are available to accomplish the assigned tasks. They work side by side with their employees, offering support and motivation. When the situation calls for it, they willingly engage in hands-on work themselves. This is precisely what the Father has done.

Philippians 2:12 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

The Father has provided the same for His children. He sets goals and enables His children to achieve them. “Salvation” is not only something they receive; it is something they do” (Fee). Paul reveals an amazing paradox regarding how we cooperate with the Father in achieving the results He intends: we are to work out our own salvation. “Nowhere in the New Testament is the work of salvation more succinctly stated” (Barclay).

As a result of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have graciously been saved. Each child of the King has been given their “own salvation.” We must strive to work it out by cooperating with the Father.

The Greek word translated as work is katergazesthai. Katergazesthai comes from two Greek words, kata, a preposition typically meaning down. It is used to intensify the verb. The other Greek word is ergazomai, to work, perform, do, or accomplish. Thus, katergazesthai means to put something into effect entirely or thoroughly or to bring it to completion.

Paul is speaking as an athletic coach or military leader would today. He is telling the children of the King to get the job done. Give it their all. Give it their best. Do not leave anything out on the field. When they are done, all of their energy and strength should be expended.

What a paradox. As children of the King, we are commanded to do what the Father Himself is actively working within us to accomplish.  We are commanded to collaborate with the Father, who works within us. He motivates us and empowers us. What a delightful and extraordinary paradox indeed!

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father has a unique and distinctive purpose for every child of the King to fulfill. Each child of the King is cherished, unique, and special in their own way.

Father thank You that You inspire and motivate us to do Your will. And then You empower me to do it. Father, help me to learn how to cooperate with You to get the job done.

INSIGHT

The Father provides the motivation, and the desire, to get the job done, and then He also works within us to give us the ability to carry it out. Putting it in other terms, when we acknowledge the Father’s presence and work within us, His actions and initiatives should inspire us to actively fulfill His purpose and bring Him joy (UBS).

Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Each child of the King has the same responsibility, to do what pleases Him.

He mysteriously and marvelously works within our hearts to cause us to want to do what He wants us to do. His initiative and work within us provide the incentive to desire and do His will.

The Greek verb rendered as working is energeo. Energeo means to be at work, active, and get the job done. The English word energy comes from this term. “There are two significant things about it; it is always used for the action of God, and it is always used for effective action. God’s action cannot be frustrated, nor can it remain half-finished; it must be fully effective” (Barclay). The Greek verb here is a present participle that connotes continuous action. The Father is always at work and never stops. He is in us, always working to cause us to be willing (UBS).

The Father effectively works in each of His children so that His desire becomes our desire. And with the desire comes the ability. The Greek phrase could be translated as “both to will and to work in behalf of the good pleasure” (UBS).

Here then, is the paradox of cooperation. “God must work in us before He can work through us” (Wiersbe).

There are two sides to getting the job done. We are to work hard to show the results of our salvation, obeying the Father with deep reverence and awe. While at the same time, the Father is working in us, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him (Osborne).

The Scriptures are replete with examples of this very thing.

For example, the Father invested forty years in preparing Moses to fulfill his role as a leader for the people of Israel. Throughout those forty years, while Moses tended to sheep, the Father was actively shaping and molding him so that one day He might work through him. The Father is more interested in the workman than in the work.  The Father’s primary focus lies in the character and development of the individual rather than solely on the task at hand. If the workman is what he ought to be, the work will be what it ought to be.

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© Dr. H 2023

The greatest test of courage

The greatest test of courage

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9

Joshua 1:2-8

 2 Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan

 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

 6 Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.

 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.

 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

 9 This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

What are the key elements for achieving success in life? Numerous general principles and strategies have been recognized as effective in attaining your objectives and experiencing a sense of fulfillment.

  • Set clear and specific goals. Make sure your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART goals).
  • Develop a plan of action: Break down your goals into smaller, actionable steps.
  • Work hard and stay committed: Success requires hard work, persistence, and dedication. Develop a mindset that sees failures as learning opportunities.
  • Continuously learn and improve: Seek knowledge and develop new skills relevant to your goals.
  • Take calculated risks: Go outside of your comfort zone. Embrace opportunities for growth and be open to new experiences.
  • Develop a strong support network: Surround yourself with supportive and positive people who believe in your abilities. Seek mentors or role models who can provide guidance and advice based on their own experiences.
  • Stay focused and maintain balance: Maintain a balance between your personal and professional life

For the children of the King, success cannot be measured using the standards of human wisdom or culture. If one strives for prosperity and success independently of the Father, they may attain their goals but eventually find themselves filled with regret. Sadly, this is so often the case.

Scottish novelist, George MacDonald wrote, “Without God, any endeavor is destined to either miserable failure or a more miserable success.” The success of the children of the King is the natural outcome of a life fully dedicated to the Father and the truth of the Word of God. When we walk in the spirit and experience His enablement, good things happen.

Psalms 106:15 He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul.

“The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart” (Robert Ingersoll).

REFLECT & PRAY

“Remember you will not always win. Some days, the most resourceful individual will taste defeat. But there is, in this case, always tomorrow – after you have done your best to achieve success today” (Maxwell Maltz).

Father thank You for the high standards and steps of action You have provided. Encourage and strengthen me to meditate upon and live by Your principles.

INSIGHT

Knowing this, what questions should we ponder to redirect our lives and seek success according to the guidelines laid out by the Father to Joshua? The following matters should be taken into consideration. Are we empowered by the Holy Spirit? Do we seek to follow the Father’s dreams for our lives? Are we focused on living and serving the Father in such a way that He is honored? If we can honestly answer yes to these questions, then our efforts are deemed successful in God’s eyes, regardless of others’ opinions (Wiersbe).

“It’s one thing to say to a leader, ‘Be strong! Be very courageous!’ and quite something else to enable him to do it” (Wiersbe). Joshua’s strength and courage stemmed from his continual deep dive into God’s Word and his meditation upon it. The power and authority of the Father are released when we develop unwavering belief in its promises and faithful adherence to its principles (Wiersbe).

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous! Do Not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

This command is expressed by two synonymous verbs in Hebrew: “Be strong and be courageous.” These are translated in a variety of ways: be strong, be resolute, be strong and stand firm, and be strong and brave (UBS).

The Hebrew verb translated as strong is hazaq. Hazaq has the sense of being strong or powerful beyond the average or expected, either physically or in one’s frame of mind. It means to be or become strong, strengthen, prevail, harden, be courageous, or show or act with resolution.

The Hebrew word rendered as courageous is amets. Amets connotes being courageous and able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching. It means to be stout, strong, bold, alert, solid, or hard. In modern colloquial English, we might say, “Man up.” “Man up” has the sense of dealing with challenging circumstances with bravery facing and fulfilling our responsibilities heroically.

The Lord repeatedly encouraged Joshua to be strong and exceedingly courageous (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9). Joshua was likely burdened by the magnitude and duration of the task ahead and the pressures of leading a stubborn, obstinate people. But perhaps, his most significant concern was the absence of his spiritual mentor, Moses. However, the Lord did not call him without equipping him. There were compelling reasons for Joshua to find strength: God’s promise of victory (Joshua 1:5, 6), the reliability of God’s Word (Joshua 1:7, 8) as a trustworthy guide, and the comforting presence of the Father Himself as an unwavering source of support (Joshua 1:9).

“The real battle of faith is joined here. Not what we are, but what He is! Not what we feel, but His facts” (T. Austin Sparks).

The most challenging aspect of the instructions that the Father provided Joshua is the requirement to make His directions an integral part of who Joshua is and what he does. He must constantly review and meditate upon them for guidance, direction, and strength. It is no coincidence that all children of the King face the same struggle to keep the Scriptures central and foundational to our lives, conduct, and aspirations.

These assurances have nothing to do with worldly wealth or success but have everything to do with accomplishing our assignment from the Father. When we ask for counsel and guidance from the Father (Joshua 9:14), He provides direction and keen insight in any circumstance.

In our fallen world, we face many hurdles, and sadly we will fall short. When we fail, we get up, continue our journey and persevere until the end.

“Courage is knowing it might hurt, and doing it anyway. Stupidity is the same. And that’s why life is hard” (Jeremy Goldberg).

“Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness” (Martin Luther King, Jr.).

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© Dr. H 2023

Does God shun His children? ∙∙

Does God shun His children? ∙∙

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. – Psalms 86:5

Micah 7:18-20

 18 Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.

 19 Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!

 20 You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised . . .

Shunning is to avoid someone deliberately. It is an act of social rejection and abandonment. It often includes renouncing and separating. All social interaction with a shunned individual is cut off. Shunning is not the same as banishment. Banishment or exile is physical isolation or separation. Shunning is social isolation.

Shunning occurs because accepted rules and standards have been violated. It highlights the severe repercussions of doing so.

Historically the Amish employ shunning for the most serious and egregious offenses. These include marrying a non-Amish person, adultery, excessive contact with the outside world, and drunkenness.

Will the Father ever shun His children? Can a sheep from the Father’s flock exhaust His patience? Absolutely not! The heart of the Father is infinite in mercy, patience, and kindness! Infinite mercy can never be exhausted! In response to sin, His lovingkindness and grace overflow and burst forth.

Romans 5:20 as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.

How often have you thought, “I am the worst sinner that ever lived? Well, you are not! That position has already been filled! The worst person that ever lived was the apostle Paul. That sounds outrageous. But Paul is the one that said it about himself. His words were enthused by the Father. Our self-rejection is driven by our guilt and discouragement.

1 Timothy 1:15 “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all.

Further, Paul unequivocally explains that if anyone could have exhausted the Father’s patience and deserved to be shunned by the Father, it was Paul himself.

1 Timothy 1:14-16

 14 The grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

 15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

REFLECT & PRAY

Isaiah 53:6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.

Father thank You that You are infinitely patient and forgiving. Your response to my sin, defiance, and rebellion is to seek to lovingly restore me.

INSIGHT

Have you ever wondered why sheep were created? The Father made them to serve as object lessons, living letters. Sheep are among the most helpless and needy of all creatures. They easily get lost and fall victim to predators. They need help finding water and food. They are in desperate need of a shepherd.

The Father created sheep as the perfect example of the way people behave. We are constantly going astray and repeatedly making dumb decisions. We would be doomed without the love and devotion of an excellent and caring shepherd.

The Father provided the perfect answer.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.

Luke 15:4-6

 4 What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’

Only when we realize that we are indeed lost sheep in dire straits because of our foolish decisions and stubborn hearts do we recognize our need for the Good Shepherd. Lost sheep are in danger. The shepherd is responsible for finding them and bringing them safely home.

The Father takes great joy and feels great excitement in re-establishing a close bond with His wandering creations (Stanley).

What is the Father like? What kind of a person is He? He shows us time and time again the essence of His heart in words, deeds, and examples throughout the Scriptures.

Knowing and understanding His character and personality provide great solace to ornery, troubled sheep. The Father is not an angry old man out to get us. Instead, He is a gracious, loving shepherd seeking out, rounding up, and restoring each of His wayward sheep. He is the ultimate Good Shepherd. He wants only the best for each of those who belong to Him.

In the first century, many flocks were communal flocks. They did not belong to individuals but rather entire villages. Typically there were two or three shepherds who cared for the sheep. When a shepherd did not come home with the flock, he was often out searching for a sheep that had gone astray. This became a matter of concern for the whole village, and they would watch and wait for the outcome. When the shepherd returned with the lost sheep lying on his shoulders, it was a time of celebration and thanksgiving for the entire village.

“That is the picture Jesus drew of God; that, said Jesus, is what God is like. God is as glad when a lost sinner is found as a shepherd is when a strayed sheep is brought home. As a great saint said, ‘God, too, knows the joy of finding things that have gone lost’” (Barclay).

First-century religious people were often stern, harsh, and unforgiving. They would readily shun and belittle those thought beneath them, such as tax collectors and sinners. Rather than seeking to redeem them, they longed for their destruction. However, the essence of the story of the lost sheep lies in highlighting the Father’s immense kindness, surpassing that of mere mortals. People give up on people, but the Father does not. “But in his heart, there is the joy of joys when a lost one is found and comes home” (Barclay).

Luke 15:32 He was lost, but now he is found!

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Just ask the animals ∙∙

Just ask the animals ∙∙

Some things on earth are small but unusually wise: spiders are easy to catch, but they are found even in kings’ palaces. – Proverbs 30:24, 28

Job 12:7-10 

 7 Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.

 8 Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you.

 9 For they all know that my disaster has come from the hand of the LORD.

 10 For the life of every living thing is in his hand and the breath of every human being.

Dr. John Dolittle is the title character of a series of children’s books by Hugh Lofting that began in 1920. Dr. Dolittle lived in a small English village. He spent little time with human patients. He specialized in caring for and communicating with animals. He could speak to them in their own languages. When word of Dolittle’s ability spread, many animals sought him out for medical advice.

No doubt, there is much we could learn from animals. If only they could really talk to us, but they do not.

In the book of Job, Job’s friends are trying to get to the bottom of why Job is suffering. After much lively debate, they conclude that Job must be responsible. Indeed, the Father is punishing him for his sins. Job defends himself and declares his innocence (Job 10:7). He asks a rhetorical question. Is it possible to understand and search out the depths and mysteries of the Father?

Job 11:7 Can you solve the mysteries of God? Can you discover everything about the Almighty?

No doubt, after much soul-searching and reflection, he came to his own conclusion. There are some things in this life that we will never really be able to comprehend fully. They are simply beyond our intellectual grasp.

Job offers a whimsical suggestion, “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you” (Job 12:7).

Try as we might, we are unable to figure out how animals know things and do things simply by instinct. For example, how does a spider know how to build a web? Where does it get the architectural plans? How does the spider engineer it? How does it know where to begin and end? How does the spider perfectly carry out the design to completion? Once the web is finished, how does it maneuver around it?  How does the spider evade entrapment within its own creation?

REFLECT & PRAY

Since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature. – Romans 1:20

Father so many of the things that You have made are irreducibly complex. Father, teach me to look and listen to the message of Your creation.

INSIGHT

If animals could talk, perhaps they could explain how the Father designed, planned out, fabricated, cares for, and controls His creation. But with very few exceptions, animals are mute and cannot communicate with us in a way we can understand.

But, without uttering a word, animals teach, birds tell, the earth speaks, and the fish inform (Job 12:7-10). Animals are programmed with instinctive intelligence. Some animals are born fully wired and ready to cope and function in their real-world environments. Ants and locusts know precisely what to do and how to do it.

Proverbs 30:25,27

 25 The ants are not a strong people, but they prepare their food in the summer;

 27 The locusts have no king, yet all of them go out in ranks;

Some animals, for example, birds, marsupials, and mammals, require protection, nurture, and a bit of parental direction and coaching to grow to mature and fully functioning adults. 

The Father is the Father of lights and all things that exist. He intelligently designed and created all things.  All of the animals, without a word, proclaim the Father’s existence, wisdom, excellence, and greatness.

But there’s more. He cares for what He has created.

Matthew 6:26-30

 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

 28 Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,

 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. 

The wondrous and fantastic truth is that the Father cares for what He creates. If He cares for animals and plants, how much more does He care for people He created in His own image? “The point that Jesus is making is not that the birds do not work; it has been said that no one works harder than the average sparrow to make a living; the point that he is making is that they do not worry” (Barclay).

When we realize how much He loves and cares for us, our anxiety diminishes, and we can experience peace and tranquility. How does this become a reality? We develop the skill of depending upon him and transferring our cares to Him. We gave Him the burden of our heavy load, and He carries it for us.

“Jesus wants you to throw your cares on Him and leave them there. You depend on Him for life itself, and you acknowledge this reliant relationship by saying, ‘Here, Jesus. Take my problems. You have the answers! I trust You to show me what to do and to take care of the consequences’” (Stanley).

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© Dr. H 2023