GETTING OUR NEEDS MET
A vision of 1 Pet. 1:13
Peter backs this up when he says, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace being brought to you by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”(1 Pet 1:13) Put a leather belt around your thought life, face your problems squarely, don’t drown them in alcohol or stick your head in the sand and act like your needs don’t exist; but, focus, concentrate your mind on the grace (all that God IS, moving freely toward you, on the basis of the Cross to meet every need you have) that will come into the situation by something more of Christ being revealed to you. Sounds similar to Paul saying, “We are destroying speculations (future worrisome scenarios) and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God (His character, His promises, His way of provision) and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5), connected with, “When Christ, who is our life, is being revealed, then you also (that is, your future) will be revealed with Him in glory.”(Col 3:4).
Lord, oh how we all want to be loved, unconditionally accepted, have a healthy/positive self-image and feel secure! And, Lord, we all want money, food, houses, cars and clothes.
Well, when we read Your Word, we realize You love us unconditionally, that we are “accepted in the Beloved (Jesus Christ)”, that our self image is the very person of Jesus Christ, for each believer is one with Him, and that we are absolutely secure, not only in our relationship with You, but we are also secure in everything relevant to the preservation of body and soul, “seeing that Your divine power has grace-gifted everything we need pertaining to life and godliness”(2 Pet 1:3).
You say in Your Word that You give us “power to make wealth”, that You will give us food (as You do the birds without them sowing, reaping or building barns) and clothes (as You do the flowers without them toiling or spinning), and that You will provide the house of Your choice for us and our families. You make it clear that “the one who does not provide for his own, especially those of his household, has denied the faith (not the Puritan work ethic) and is worse than an unbeliever”. This is because the unbeliever has only himself to depend upon, whereas the believer has You and Your clear, trustworthy promises to depend upon, yet has rejected them in favor of his own self effort, living in unbelief as to Your promises. Wow, knowing how amazing You are and what You say you will do for us, frees us from seeking after any of these things and motivates us to seek after You.