Reference to Mathew 28 to 34 - puzzling? what was the original intent her, if read literally Mathew is reporting JESUS to be telling the Jews that there is no need for them to do anything other than pray - surely not?
Then again how do we fit this into life two thousand years later?
Hi Roy. I assume the passage you refer to is Matthew 6:25-34. I don't believe that the subject here is specifically on prayer, though that is certainly a part of it. In my understanding, the subject is rather on 'faith'. The examples that Jesus uses are that of the birds & the lilies, which are cared for & adorned by God, so that they can have no concern about the future.
In like manner, even though our physiology, our needs, & our responsibilities in this life are far more involved & advanced than birds & plants, the same principle should be applied: the principle of leaving our matters, of which we have no control, to God, the One Who has all things responsive to His Command. This is not to say that we sit by idly & await for blessings & provisions to fall to us - that won't happen, but that we work with our hands, see to the needs of the family & others, & if the Lord Will, to "establish the work of our hands upon us" ( Psalm 90:17): i.e. that God would fulfil our plans we make in accordance with His Will.
When work is going on well & a regular salary is coming in with debts being paid off, there seems no need to have faith, in light of the Matthew passage. Yet we understand that faith is expressed continually towards God, for the required health & strength to perform our work, for safety, for understanding, & for wisdom in correct apportioning of our resources. And for those with very little resources, or even none, God will reward their faith in Him, by providing their necessities in the right way at the right time. This Truth has been proven by many over the years, whether by those struggling in society, on the mission field, or being left destitute because of thieves or job loss. And here is the conflict: when such evil befalls us & we're at our lowest ebb, would we still "seek the kingdom of God & his righteousness" first? Ordinarily, No. But with the Spirit's Help, we can rise up above the misery & still demonstrate unflinching faith in a faithful God.
Chris thank you taking the time to provide such a long and profound explanation. I had not considered faith as being the prime subject but with that in focus it all makes sense.
Then again how do we fit this into life two thousand years later?
Thanks for your help
Roy
In like manner, even though our physiology, our needs, & our responsibilities in this life are far more involved & advanced than birds & plants, the same principle should be applied: the principle of leaving our matters, of which we have no control, to God, the One Who has all things responsive to His Command. This is not to say that we sit by idly & await for blessings & provisions to fall to us - that won't happen, but that we work with our hands, see to the needs of the family & others, & if the Lord Will, to "establish the work of our hands upon us" ( Psalm 90:17): i.e. that God would fulfil our plans we make in accordance with His Will.
When work is going on well & a regular salary is coming in with debts being paid off, there seems no need to have faith, in light of the Matthew passage. Yet we understand that faith is expressed continually towards God, for the required health & strength to perform our work, for safety, for understanding, & for wisdom in correct apportioning of our resources. And for those with very little resources, or even none, God will reward their faith in Him, by providing their necessities in the right way at the right time. This Truth has been proven by many over the years, whether by those struggling in society, on the mission field, or being left destitute because of thieves or job loss. And here is the conflict: when such evil befalls us & we're at our lowest ebb, would we still "seek the kingdom of God & his righteousness" first? Ordinarily, No. But with the Spirit's Help, we can rise up above the misery & still demonstrate unflinching faith in a faithful God.
Regards
Roy
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