Courage #2 — Courageously Righteous

Since no one can successfully serve both God and mammon … do not be anxious for your life, … nor for your body, … for life is certainly more than food, and the body than clothing. … Do not be anxious … for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:24-34

“What we hope in we worship; what we worship we serve,” a wise man once said. Jesus said we must look to God as our source of hope, so that we see him as having ultimate worth in our eyes, so we do what is necessary to obtain the benefits he offers. He promises that God will provide for our needs if we own him as king and obey his rules in such a way that he is seen as a good and wise ruler. With this commitment we will have the courage to live righteous lives. If we try to feather our own nests, we register a vote of no confidence in God and live in a constant state of anxiety, not only about having enough for today, but enough for tomorrow as well. Fortunately, our King is also a heavenly Father, who knows exactly what we need and is glad to give us the kingdom and all that he as our Father/King can provide.

Heavenly Father, unless I believed I would see your goodness in the land of the living, I would have despaired. Grant me strength to wait hopefully for you today. Amen.