[27] “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. [28] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you---you of little faith! [29] And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. [30] For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. [31] But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
[32] “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
My eyes and my heart were drawn to verse 32, especially since my recent focus has been on the Kingdom of God. I love this verse -"The Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom". It is spoken in past tense, meaning the gift has been given already. This is not some future event, but the continuation of Jesus' proclamation and reality. The kingdom was established here on earth, and our inclusion in the Kingdom is pleasing to the Father. If He is pleased to give it too us, that means two things - 1) we don't need to ask or beg or wonder 2) the kingdom is for us! I mean think about it, if we have already received a gift, we don't need to ask for it again, or wonder if it is ours to possess. If we have been given a gift, it is for us. We might share it with others, but it is meant to bless us. this is true of the Kingdom of God! Wow!
I also love the fact that the Lord encourages us to focus on the kingdom, rather than on our stuff and our needs. The reason He does that is that He knows those are guaranteed in the Kingdom. The Father, who is the very definition of good, knows our needs and has all resources at His finger-tips. He knows our need and will meet it.
So often we are tempted to live in the state of unbelief - belief that God doesn't love us, isn't capable of freeing us, isn't paying attention to us, or has it in for us. None of these is true, but many of us hold some variant of these in our fearful hearts, and these thoughts come out when we are under duress. Jesus calls us to focus on His kingdom, looking to heaven rather than our earthly situation. We are encouraged to look heavenward, recognizing that the all the blessing and awesome things we experience here, are as nothing compared to the eternal glory that awaits us in heaven.
Let us be encouraged today that the Kingdom is for us, and it has pleased the Father to give it too us! His intention is clearly that we experience the blessings of His kingdom, and invite others to join us.
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