End of Rope

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? (Matthew 6:26 NLT)

Livelihood is a concern for many, especially for those who are struggling to make ends meet or have hit rock bottom. Whether we have enough to eat, drink or wear are therefore matters of genuine concern. Even if we know life is more than just food and clothing, we cannot help but to sometimes worry about our next meal or how we can have enough to feed ourselves and the people under our care.

Some years ago, I was faced with the situation of hitting rock bottom. I was at the end of the rope, unable to provide for myself and my family, so I cried out to God, and He heard me and answered my prayer. He provided for me and my family, and granted me a job that is beyond a doubt given by Him because it met every of my specific request in my prayer—a perfect fit.

This is why Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-33 (NLT) that we should not worry about our everyday life—whether we have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear (v.25). Look at the birds. They do not plant or harvest or store food in barns, for our heavenly Father feeds them (v.26). Are we not far more valuable to Him than them? Can all our worries add a single moment to our lives (v.27)? Why do we need to worry about our clothing (v.28)? If God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers, He will certainly care for us (v.30). So do not worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear (v.31)? Our heavenly Father already knows all our needs (v.32).

The lyrics of a song in foreign language describe these verses very well. It states:

Flowers of the wild
Dressed up beautifully
Birds of the air
Never for livelihood keep busy
Our gracious heavenly Father
Watches over them daily
He loves the people of earth much more
And prepares them for the road to eternity

All that we need
Our heavenly Father already knows
The worries within our troubled hearts
Let Him on our behalf dispose
Our gracious heavenly Father
Takes care of us each day
He loves us much more
And prepares us for eternity way

Instead of worrying unnecessarily, therefore, let us trust in God and hold on to Him in times of need. Even if we have come to the end of the rope, let us tie a knot and hang on in faith. God knows our needs; He will certainly care for us (Matthew 6:30). Just as God provided for me and my family in times of need, He will also take care of us and supply all our needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

As for some of us who have been blessed with much and have little or no worry about livelihood, let us not be conceited or fix our hope on the uncertainty of riches. Let us instead, as good stewards of God, do good and be rich in good works to be generous and ready to share, for it is God who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17-18).

Thank You dear Lord for always being on the lookout for us to ensure our needs are met. Help us Lord not to worry too much about what we shall eat, drink or wear, or about tomorrow. Open our eyes Lord that we may see within Your creation how much more You love and care for us. Remove from us Lord the worries within our troubled hearts that we may not be too overly concerned about our livelihood, but instead trust in You completely. Move our hearts Lord, we who have been blessed with much, to be willing to share what You have given us with others. Do not let us be conceited Lord to put our hope on the uncertainty of riches. Instead, direct us Lord that we may as good stewards of Your wealth do good and be rich in good works.