Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. LUKE 12:31-32 (NLT)

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Apparently, people are worried about a lot of stuff these days. Survival kit makers like Judy (readyjudy.com) and SEVENTY2 (unchartedsupplyco.com) are sold out. People suddenly awoke recently to the fact that those crazy doomsday preppers might actually be on to something. Between digging a fortress in your backyard complete with a diesel-powered generator and water purification system and depending on the benevolence of those who had the foresight to prepare for disasters like fires, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes, there is probably a middle ground. 

My bride and I have been reading a series of thrillers where the lead character often grabs his bug-out bag as he takes off for one adventure or another. It is simply smart to have basic supplies that can get you safely from Point A to Point B in an emergency. A communication plan and pathways are essential. Walkie-talkie apps like Zello and Voxer on your cell phone are helpful for direct communication. 

We can continue down this road for a long time. Start looking at these kinds of tools in depth and you may become worried that you are not worried enough. It appears there is a thin line between wise preparation for unforeseen eventualities and having enough buckshot for the zombie apocalypse. 

Jesus points in a wee bit of a different direction in this chapter. After saying, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God,” (v. 21), he went on to talk about the foolishness of worry (vv. 22-34). He said not to worry about everyday life concerns like having enough food to eat, enough clothes to wear, or keeping up with the latest styles. He said if God cares for sparrows and flowers so wonderfully and so well, “he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” (v. 28). 

Jesus said to turn away from worries toward genuine concerns. Live with a Kingdom orientation. Focus on what matters most. Know and experience God as he wants to be known and experienced. Help others do the same. Learn to love who and what he loves. Turn away from every lesser distraction. “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need,” (v. 31). 

Think back to the Exodus. God provided daily bread. He provided water from rocks. He provided clothes and sandals that did not wear out. Think about the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus taught us to ask for “our daily bread.” Walmart may not have TP and bottled water, but God’s resources are never exhausted. 

Jesus says we can lend and give generously because we know that what God provided in the first place, he can certainly replace. “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure in heaven. And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it,” (v. 33). When you love what God loves, you love who he loves, and that includes everybody. You want to make sure everyone has enough, especially now when things are getting tough. 

We of all people should live confidently in these days. Not arrogantly, not foolishly, but confidently. We have the keys to the cabinet where something better than a cure or a vaccine is stored. We have the good news that even death is not the end of the story. We have a resurrected Savior who wants to save, deliver, and heal everyone everywhere. 

I have a bug-out bag. I have a walkie-talkie app. I have a deep and abiding relationship with our Father in heaven.

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I will live confidently.

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Our Father, thank you for providing all we need and so much more. Make us generous with all that you have entrusted to us. Make us faithful providers for those in need. May others see us as your hands and feet in action in these days. Bless those who seek cures and vaccines. Bless those who serve the sick and dying. Bless those who give us instructions for order and protection. Bless us with wisdom in knowing how to serve as part of the solution and not part of the problem. Bless us as bearers of your Kingdom everywhere we go and in everything we do. Empower us to live confidently in this time of fear and confusion. Amen.