“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)
Besides the times that you have perhaps fasted, have you ever known a day without food? I do not mean by choice, or even very little food, but there was no availability of anything whatsoever to eat that day? You went hungry.
All your needs go far beyond the necessary requirements of the flesh, in all reality, all it needs is food and water, if the weather is inclement, clothing and shelter are also a necessity, but that is it, it takes very little effort to remain alive in the flesh. The question is, is it needful for you to remain alive?
Philippians 1:21 holds a double meaning, as it were, while we are in the flesh, breathing the air of this world, “To live is Christ,” there is no other reason, no higher calling than to live for Jesus Christ. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31) If indeed you are living for the Lord, the last thing on your mind is those needs of the flesh, it will be provided for, there is no question in this regard.
It is said of Albert Einstein that he owned seven suits, one for each day of the week, each of them exactly the same. In this regard he said he did not need to expend any useless thoughts on what he would wear that day. This is how we are to treat our thoughts to the flesh, “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?” (Matt. 6:26) In other words, you have more to be concerned with than the needs of the flesh.
There has been quite a bit of talk lately on almost every social media site and news stations of a possible food shortage that will begin starting late summer of this year, and even taking everything into account that has been written here, there is another verse we should consider. “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” (Prov. 22:3) It is no sin to prepare ahead, to have some food and water on hand, but it may be a sin to hoard a 25-year supply of it.
I have had conversations with some of these individuals lately, they call themselves “preppers,” but many of them come across as hoarders, stockpiles of nearly every conceivable item, enough in some cases to last two lifetimes. Few of them will accept the words of God, they tend to move in their thoughts towards an ever-increasing, very long-lasting apocalyptic event. They are for the most part concerned with staying alive, but not for Christ.
I believe there are many who call themselves Christians that enjoy the first part of that verse in Philippians, but not so much the second part, “To die is gain.” A life not lived for Christ is a life that fears death, that does not want to face that final door, that holds very little confidence in the Lord our God to deliver them. They are in a sense, hoarding life, but not prepping for death.
So then, back to all of those needs being taken care of, do you believe that the Lord Jesus, when He spoke those words, was also speaking of the needs of the mind? Of your soul?
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5) “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
Yep, and I would imagine you could add a few more verses here.
Our adversary knows full well that fear, either blatant, in your face fear or fear brought upon mankind slowly and subtlety will almost always evoke the proper response, that of questioning the Lord God’s promises of provision and peace. Now, all you have to do is look within yourself and see which direction you have been leaning lately.
