"Resign as General Manager of the Universe"

Psalm 78.23-25 NIV

“Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Men ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat.”

This psalm tells of abundant provision from the hand of God. God’s provision is as much a matter of faith as it is a matter of fact. As far as I recall, I’ve never unwillingly missed a meal. It would be safe to say that God commanded “the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens” and “rained down manna” for me to eat each and every day of my entire life. He has literally sent me and my loved ones “all the food they could eat” just like the Bible promised. So why do I still worry about God’s provision?

I once heard a pastor preach, “Worry is incompatible with common sense.” To that truism I give hearty assent. Still, I worry. My behavior makes no sense. Worry is not logical. 

Every day God provides for me and (paradoxically) most days I worry about it. I have, on occasion, even considered worry to be my personal obligation. In a weird way, this logic almost works... ‘If I don’t worry I will become lackadaisical and fail to do what it takes to acquire the provision I need.’ Now there’s a twist! I’ve apparently decided my daily routine of worry, not God’s daily and proven acts of love, assures me and my family of what we need to survive. I remind myself of Charles Schulz who once said, “I’ve developed a new philosophy… I only dread one day at a time.”

Jesus commanded us not to worry…

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’

or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your

heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore

do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about

itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Jesus, Matthew 6.30-34 NIV

I hereby resign, on this very day, as general manager of my little universe. God always has provided (a statement of fact) and He always will (a statement of faith).

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The wonderful cartoon at the top of this post is by the amazing author, cartoonist, and internationally acclaimed speaker Andrew Matthews. His books have been translated into 33 languages and sell in 60 countries. Mr. Matthews has spoken to more than 500 corporations and over a million people. Check out his site at http://www.seashell.com.au.