Back to Basics

The other day I was praying for a friend.  She is going through a difficult time right now and asked if I would pray for her.  As I sought the Lord on her behalf, I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to turn to Matthew chapter 7 verses 7-11: 

“Ask, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” After I had finished sharing this with her, I stayed on that page in Matthew and lingered a while longer.

 

The beginning of Matthew chapter 7 starts off with the admonition for us not to judge others.  At the end of Matthew chapter 6 we are instructed not to worry.  A light went off in my brain as to how beautifully basic God’s word is sometimes. The depths of its wisdom are inexhaustible, yet at the same time, riches can be found at first glance.

Here in Matthew where I lingered is a wonderful example of this very thing. Do Not Worry, Do Not Judge, and Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking.  How extraordinarily basic yet profound!  Don’t worry about your life.  Your life is in God’s hands.  Worry does you no good whatsoever.  It harms your body mentally and physically, so refuse to engage in it.

Don’t judge or criticize other people.  Who do you think you are?  Get off your Holier-Than-Thou throne and be humble.  Pass on to others the grace and kindness that God so graciously gives you.  And finally, whatever you need, ask God.  Do you need wisdom? Discernment? Restored health? Provision? Encouragement?  Let God know the burdens of your heart.  He will care for each one of them and answer your request in such a way as is best for you.

 

Believe me, I write these things not only for those of you who would read this, but to myself as well. I probably need this more than anybody!

All in all, in the end maybe sometimes all we need is to simply get back to basics.

Dina Pugh