Introduction
Imagine you're up high on a mountain just as the day starts, with the sky bursting into bright colors like a big, beautiful painting. Moments like this remind us how huge God's world is and how we, even though we might feel tiny, are important to Him. In Psalm 8:3-4, "When I look up at your sky, at what your fingers made – the moon and the stars – I wonder, why do you bother with us humans? Why take care of us?" this verse wonders out loud why God even bothers with us humans.
Sometimes, we get too full of ourselves and forget who made us and everything we see. But remembering how big and wonderful God's creation is helps us to chill out, not stress over every little thing, and start living the full and happy life God wants for us.
Looking up at the vast sky, you will know that we're part of a massive, beautiful story—God's story. With every step, God's there, lighting the way, filling us with bravery, peace, and love. From feeling lost to standing tall, God leads the charge. Every glimpse of the world's beauty reminds us how much we lean on God daily. We're made for something extraordinary, all with God holding our hands. Trusting Him pulls us closer, making everything clear.
With that said, let's dive into how trusting God changes everything, pulling us closer and clarifying our path."
Recognizing Our Dependence on God
Imagine you're on a great adventure, exploring unknown paths. Deep down, there's a simple truth that guides us: we rely on God for everything. It's not just about the things we can touch but also the love and support that feed our souls. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:25-34 not to worry about our needs because if we focus on living a life that honors God, He'll ensure we have everything we need.
Imagine standing by the sea, watching the endless waves crash onto the shore. Our challenges in life are like those waves, but our faith in God is like the solid ground beneath our feet, always steady. From the smallest flower to the birds in the sky, nature doesn't worry about tomorrow, showing us that God is always looking out for us.
Getting closer to God might seem like it opens the door to more challenges and can feel a bit scary. But I've learned that the fear and worry that comes with growing in faith are just distractions that Satan had planted, not messages from God. God is truly the one guiding us safely through hard times, promising us peace that never ends.
It's like an old story from Asia about a trickster goblin. Imagine you're walking home at night, a little tipsy from drinking, trying to cross a mountainous path. The goblin pretends to help, telling you to lift your pants to avoid getting them wet at the stream, but you're about to walk into a thorn bush. And when you're about to step into the water, the goblin tricks you by saying you're facing a thorn bush, so you should pull down your pants, making you all wet. This story shows how, like the goblin, some guides aren't helping but leading us into trouble. In the same way, Satan might seem like he's offering helpful advice, but his tricks are meant to make us stumble.
Just as in the story, where the guide's advice isn't what it seems, the worries and fears that try to steer us away from God are misleading. They're not guiding us to safety; they're like the goblin's whispers, leading us into trouble. But with God as our true guide, we can navigate life's challenges safely, knowing He's always leading us toward peace.
As we continue this journey, let's hold onto the fact that God's help and promises are like a safe harbor in the storm.
Experiencing God's Provision
Let's get to the first point. Knowing we need God is one thing; seeing His help and care in action is what truly strengthens our faith. Our experiences of God's kindness always led us to a meaningful life filled with love and true happiness.
Remember, Jesus, feeding a massive crowd with just a little food and a widow who barely had anything left, decided to let Elijah have it. These stories aren't just old tales; they show us how God steps in to help when things look impossible, teaching us a big lesson about trust and sharing.
In Africa, hunters who hunt monkeys put a tasty treat inside a jar. A monkey reaches in and grabs the snack, but then – that becomes a trap! The monkey's hand is stuck because it won't release the food in his hand, even as the hunters come closer. If only it would drop the food, it could easily escape.
This story is a lot like us sometimes. We hold onto things we think we need or want/ so tight that we miss out on the incredible things God is ready to give us/ if we just let go and trust Him.
Consider a skier in a race who must decide what to focus on: the trees or the path ahead. If the skier keeps looking at the trees, he'll likely run into them because that's where his focus is. But if he looks at the path he needs to take, he'll avoid the trees and keep skiing smoothly. This is like life: when we focus on God's path, we avoid the dangers and obstacles that can trip us up.
Back to our widow's story. She was down to her last bit of food but chose to share with Elijah, putting her faith in God above her hunger. What happened next? God ensured her flour jar and oil jug didn't run out. She let go of her last bit, trusting God, and He took care of her and her son. Just like feeding the 5000, it shows that when we put God first, especially when it's tough, He ensures we have what we need.
And here's the kicker: when we focus on helping others, even when it seems like we don't have much to give, we step into God's stream of endless supply. God promises to look after us, making our actions part of something bigger - His eternal story. It's like planting seeds that grow into something beautiful, not just for now, but forever.
So, by living this way - trusting, sharing, and focusing on what God wants - we get to experience God's incredible help in our lives. It's about letting go of our "jar treats," stepping up to share, and trusting that God's got this, leading us to a life filled with purpose and the best supplies.
Witnessing the Power of Resurrection
Now, let’s move on to the third point: Consider the amazing stories of Jesus bringing people back to life, like the widow's son and Lazarus. These aren't just cool miracles; they show us that God has the ultimate say over life and death. They remind us that we can rely on God's power to see things in a world where it's hard to tell right from wrong.
In our faith journey, we often find ourselves puzzled by what's happening around us. It's like the world is flipping everything upside down, saying what's wrong is right and what's right is wrong. This confusion isn't new. Isaiah warned us about it long ago, saying in Isaiah 5:20, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."
When people turn back to believing in God, amazing things happen. Their hearts change, and so do the places they live. The stories about the widow’s son and Lazarus aren’t just old tales; they inspire us to make a real difference, bringing new life to lost places.
Lots of people try to find a way to beat death and end up disappointed. But the Bible tells us we already have the answer. Jesus beating death and coming back to life shows us God has the power to do anything. This gives us hope that lasts forever, not just for now.
Believing in this power means we’re not just trying to get through life; we’re looking forward to a life that never ends. Jesus showed us how, proving that with God, we can face anything, even death, and come out on top.
Thinking about how Jesus came back to life and the stories that boost our belief, we see the big picture of our journey with God. From being amazed by everything God made to trusting Him and seeing His wonders, it all leads to the biggest surprise: Jesus winning over death. This tells us we can get through tough times with God and look forward to a bright future full of hope and the promise of always being with Him.
Conclusion
Standing on a mountaintop at dawn, we're reminded of our significant place in God's vast creation, much like the awe and wonder described in Psalm 8:3-4 and Jesus' reassuring words in Matthew 6:25-34 about trusting God's provision. This journey of faith, from the miraculous stories of provision to facing life's challenges with a steadfast trust in God, teaches us the importance of letting go of our fears and material concerns to embrace the spiritual nourishment and support God offers. The story of the monkey trapped by its greed is a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey, urging us to release our grasp on the temporal to receive God's eternal blessings. Isaiah 5:20 warns us of the dangers of moral inversion, yet through the resurrection of Jesus, we see the ultimate victory over death and a call to live in the light of His truth and hope. As we navigate life's uncertainties and moral ambiguities, the resurrection power of Jesus Christ offers us clarity, hope, and the promise of eternal life, encouraging us to live with purpose, generosity, and a deep trust in God's sovereign care.
