Worry Not, God Provides
Joel 2:21-27, Matthew 6:25-33 Through the prophet Joel God speaks to the land, to the animals, and to the children of Zion. To the soil he tells how the trees bear fruit. To the animals he tells how the pastures provide green grass for them to eat. Then to us humans the Lord has provided rain which makes the crops grow where the threshing floor are full of grain and the vats overflowing with wine and oil. They will eat in plenty. The Lord doesn’t forget the lean years though. God will repay for the years insects have destroyed their crops along with a great army being sent against them. Then they will be satisfied and praise God who has dealt wondrously with them. God’s people will never be put to shame again. In Matthew Jesus tells the crowd not to worry about their physical lives and bodies – what to eat, drink, or wear. He uses the examples of nature like Joel did. He tells about the birds being fed, the lilies of the field being clothes in beauty. He asks the question, “Aren’t ...