[Jesus speaking]
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
--Parallel verses:
Matthew 6:28-30
[Jesus speaking]
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?
I think I am, at 50 years old, maybe finally getting a small glimpse into the power and depth of wisdom in these passages. In the past I have read over these, mostly recognizing the logic of the statements: 1) yes, the flowers do clothe themselves, 2) yes, with God being all-knowing, he does know the number of hairs on my head at any given time, and 3) yes, the birds of the air do find food to eat every day without any toil.
So what?
But God wants me to open my heart up to him and search for the root of his principle here.
It is pretty amazing that, without my help and expert advice or aid, the hairs on my head still grow! And, though they have not attended a course in how to “get rich quick” or how to “win friends and influence people”, the birds of the air still eat! Finally, somehow, without watching all of the myriad of commercials showing the latest fashions and looks, the flowers of the field are clothed in timeless beauty.
I am being a bit facetious here. Maybe I worry so much because I think too highly of my impact by myself and not highly enough of God’s impact with or without me?
So what is it I should consume my time with? Matthew 6:33 says this: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
This means, like my hair or the flowers of the field or the birds of the air, every good thing follows if … I focus on and strive after the things of God’s kingdom and the work of his righteousness.
Do I really believe this at a heart level? If so, how will this belief prove itself in my time management, my priorities, my focus, and how I spend my money and apply my skills?
Lord, help me to focus on you and your work in my heart. You are the giver of all good things. When I focus mainly on worldly success, I am consumed with protecting my gains in reputation, material things, and power. Help me to focus on humbly serving you and all of the rest of the blessings you will give me too!
Yes satan’s goal is to rob us from this freedom! Freedom of knowing these truths at the heart level allows us the peace that passes all understanding which allows us to love him and others more deeply and freely