{"id":27236,"date":"2010-08-30T03:15:00","date_gmt":"2010-08-30T03:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nehemiah.pivotdev.com\/blog\/?p=568"},"modified":"2020-03-16T23:20:43","modified_gmt":"2020-03-17T06:20:43","slug":"look-at-the-birds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/devotionals\/look-at-the-birds\/","title":{"rendered":"Look at the Birds","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Which of you by worrying can add a cubit to his stature?<\/em> \u2013Matthew 6:26<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


According to Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs, man\u2019s foundational needs are physiological. These needs \u2013 food, drink, and clothing \u2013 are the literal requirements for human survival. If they are not met, the human body cannot continue to survive. Although Maslow\u2019s hierarchy is incomplete \u2013 in that it does not include man\u2019s need for God \u2013 it does speak to those natural elements that cause man to worry and become anxious. Nothing creates anxiety and worry like the feeling that one will run out of food and natural provision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why Jesus addresses this issue head-on during His Sermon on the Mount. He states in Matthew 6:25, \u201cTherefore I say to you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?\u201d As if that were not enough, He continues in verse 26 to challenge us to look at the birds of the air and learn from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can we learn from birds?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus states, \u201cFor they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them.\u201d Whoa, you mean birds do not work, yet our God feeds them? Now isn\u2019t this a violation of God\u2019s economic principles of sowing and reaping? The Apostle Paul makes it very clear in II Thessalonians 3:10b, that \u201cIf anyone will not work, neither should he eat.\u201d God Himself states in Genesis 3:19a \u201cIn the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why does God give birds preferential treatment? He does not. Jesus is teaching us about a law higher than the law of sowing and reaping-the law of sovereignty. The law of sovereignty is God\u2019s complete authority and power over His entire universe. The way laws work is that any law can be overridden by a higher law. For instance, according to the law, it is illegal to drive past a red traffic light. However, if there is a policeman driving his car with his siren on, not only can he pass the red light, but if you are blocking his car, you must move to make way for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The law of sowing and reaping states that if a man will not work (sow), he shall not eat (reap). The law of sovereignty, however, states that God has authority and rule over the entire creation, and He will provide for anyone He chooses in any way He chooses. The lesson here is that if God can feed a non-working bird that is not made in His image and likeness, what about you and me, who not only are made in His image and likeness, but also work to bring Him glory?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did Jesus use this example? I imagine that He was ministering to people who were worried about their provision, not necessarily because they were not willing to work, but perhaps because they could not find jobs as a result of discrimination towards Jews in a Roman colony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In their day, just like today, there was possibly limited job availability. Maybe there were people who had jobs, but who were not making enough money to meet their basic needs. As one of my friends puts it, they had more days in the month than they had money.\u00a0 I am sure that there were businessmen in His midst who were unfairly and heavily taxed which impacted their profitability. Some may have been forced to close their businesses, and others may have faced low demand since customers themselves were economically challenged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The questions the people must have asked Jesus were, \u201cHow will we feed ourselves and our families? How will we pay our workers and pay our expenses?\u201d Jesus responded by saying, \u201cDo not worry; do not be anxious; do not take the problem into your own hands. God has not forsaken you; man does not live by bread alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate His point, He pointed to the birds of the air. God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, the Sustainer of life, the Creator of all things, the Faithful Wonder Himself feeds them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He,
El Elyon \u2013 the Lord most high,
El Shaddai- the God who is sufficient for the needs of His people,
Jehovah Elohim \u2013 the Eternal Creator,
El Olam \u2013 the Everlasting God,
Jehovah Jireh \u2013 the Lord our Provider,
Jehovah Shalom \u2013 the Lord our Peace,
Jehovah Shammah \u2013 the Lord is present,
Jehovah Rohi \u2013 the Lord our Shepherd,
Jehovah Huseemu \u2013 the Lord our Maker,
Jehovah Eloheenu \u2013 the Lord our Maker,
He cares for them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now if God takes care of birds that do not work, what about you and me who are not only created in His image and likeness and whose difficulty is not as a result of slothfulness on our part or even our lack of a desire to work? Will God not take care of us in the midst of circumstances outside our control? Even if our circumstances are due to mistakes on our part, we serve a God who is merciful, kind, gentle, generous, forgiving, and who works all things \u201ctogether for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose\u201d Romans 8:28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How are you doing? Have you lost your job? Is revenue down? Are you worried about meeting your needs, meeting payroll, or paying the bills? Follow Jesus\u2019 instructions:\u00a0 look at the birds of the air and know that you have more value than they do.\u00a0 My prayer for you is that, \u201cmy God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus\u201d Philippians 4:19. Think about His goodness in the morning and thank Him for His faithfulness as you lay down at night. He will take care of you.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jesus states, \u201cFor they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them.\u201d Whoa, you mean birds do not work, yet our God feeds them? Now isn\u2019t this a violation of God\u2019s economic principles of sowing and reaping? <\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-devotionals","pmpro-has-access",""],"spectra_custom_meta":{"_mk_post_love":["0"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["30"],"mom_video_show":["on"],"mom_video_type":["html5"],"mom_article_type":["article"],"sbg_selected_sidebar_replacement":["a:1:{i:0;s:12:\"Blog Sidebar\";}"],"_yoast_wpseo_redirect":[""],"_accessally_post_permission":["a:9:{s:13:\"require-login\";s:2:\"no\";s:16:\"required-tag-ids\";a:0:{}s:13:\"tag-id-system\";s:12:\"Infusionsoft\";s:21:\"conditional-redirects\";a:0:{}s:10:\"enable-url\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"disable-url\";s:0:\"\";s:10:\"no-wpautop\";s:2:\"no\";s:16:\"include-form-css\";s:2:\"no\";s:15:\"include-form-js\";s:2:\"no\";}"],"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-adv":["none"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["What can we learn from birds? Jesus states, \"For they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them."],"shareaholic_disable_open_graph_tags":["0"],"shareaholic_disable_share_buttons":["0"],"_wp_old_slug":[""],"_edit_last":["1"],"avada_post_views_count":["709"],"sbg_selected_sidebar":["a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"0\";}"],"sbg_selected_sidebar_2_replacement":["a:1:{i:0;s:0:\"\";}"],"slide_template":["default"],"sbg_selected_sidebar_2":["a:1:{i:0;s:1:\"0\";}"],"pyre_show_first_featured_image":["no"],"pyre_fimg_width":[""],"pyre_fimg_height":[""],"pyre_portfolio_width_100":["default"],"pyre_video":[""],"pyre_image_rollover_icons":["default"],"pyre_link_icon_url":[""],"pyre_post_links_target":["no"],"pyre_related_posts":["default"],"pyre_share_box":["default"],"pyre_post_pagination":["default"],"pyre_author_info":["default"],"pyre_post_meta":["default"],"pyre_post_comments":["default"],"pyre_main_top_padding":[""],"pyre_main_bottom_padding":[""],"pyre_hundredp_padding":[""],"pyre_slider_type":["no"],"pyre_slider":["0"],"pyre_wooslider":["0"],"pyre_revslider":["0"],"pyre_elasticslider":["0"],"pyre_slider_position":["default"],"pyre_avada_rev_styles":["default"],"pyre_fallback":[""],"pyre_demo_slider":[""],"pyre_display_header":["yes"],"pyre_header_100_width":["default"],"pyre_header_bg_color":[""],"pyre_header_bg_opacity":[""],"pyre_header_bg":[""],"pyre_header_bg_full":["no"],"pyre_header_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"pyre_displayed_menu":["default"],"pyre_display_footer":["default"],"pyre_display_copyright":["default"],"pyre_footer_100_width":["default"],"pyre_sidebar_position":["default"],"pyre_sidebar_bg_color":[""],"pyre_page_bg_layout":["default"],"pyre_page_bg_color":[""],"pyre_page_bg":[""],"pyre_page_bg_full":["no"],"pyre_page_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"pyre_wide_page_bg_color":[""],"pyre_wide_page_bg":[""],"pyre_wide_page_bg_full":["no"],"pyre_wide_page_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"pyre_page_title":["default"],"pyre_page_title_breadcrumbs_search_bar":["default"],"pyre_page_title_text":["default"],"pyre_page_title_text_alignment":["default"],"pyre_page_title_custom_text":[""],"pyre_page_title_text_size":[""],"pyre_page_title_custom_subheader":[""],"pyre_page_title_custom_subheader_text_size":[""],"pyre_page_title_font_color":[""],"pyre_page_title_100_width":["default"],"pyre_page_title_height":[""],"pyre_page_title_mobile_height":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg_color":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_borders_color":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg_retina":[""],"pyre_page_title_bar_bg_full":["default"],"pyre_page_title_bg_parallax":["default"],"fusion_builder_status":[""],"_accessally_post_webinar":["a:7:{s:14:\"enable-webinar\";s:2:\"no\";s:10:\"youtube-id\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"hangout-url\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"webinar-title\";s:18:\"AccessAlly Webinar\";s:18:\"webinar-start-date\";s:0:\"\";s:25:\"webinar-start-time-select\";s:5:\"00:00\";s:22:\"webinar-start-time-raw\";i:1486443600;}"],"_progressally_quiz_counter_meta":["a:4:{s:16:\"select-quiz-type\";s:5:\"score\";s:23:\"quiz_completion_counter\";i:0;s:18:\"grade_pass_counter\";i:0;s:8:\"question\";a:1:{i:1;a:4:{i:1;i:0;i:2;i:0;i:3;i:0;i:4;i:0;}}}"],"_progressally_post_meta":["a:11:{s:12:\"selected-tab\";s:9:\"objective\";s:13:\"max-objective\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"objective-error\";s:0:\"\";s:15:\"objective-order\";a:0:{}s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";s:19:\"checked-enable-quiz\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"quiz\";a:16:{s:16:\"select-quiz-type\";s:5:\"score\";s:20:\"correct-message-html\";s:8:\"Correct!\";s:11:\"result-html\";s:92:\"

Congratulations! You scored {[percentage]}!<\/div>\";s:18:\"submit-button-text\";s:15:\"Submit Answers!\";s:18:\"retake-button-text\";s:11:\"Retake Quiz\";s:10:\"num-retake\";s:1:\"0\";s:18:\"survey-num-outcome\";s:1:\"2\";s:14:\"survey-outcome\";a:2:{i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"Survey Outcome\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:56:\"
Outcome Text<\/div>\";s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"name\";s:14:\"Survey Outcome\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:56:\"
Outcome Text<\/div>\";s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";}}s:26:\"grade-outcome-threshold-id\";s:1:\"1\";s:17:\"grade-num-outcome\";s:1:\"2\";s:13:\"grade-outcome\";a:2:{i:2;a:3:{s:9:\"min-score\";s:2:\"50\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:110:\"
Congratulations! You scored {[percentage]} and pass the quiz!<\/div>\";}i:1;a:3:{s:9:\"min-score\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:102:\"
You scored {[percentage]}, and did not pass the quiz.<\/div>\";}}s:22:\"grade-outcome-pass-tag\";s:0:\"\";s:22:\"grade-outcome-fail-tag\";s:0:\"\";s:19:\"segment-num-outcome\";s:1:\"1\";s:15:\"segment-outcome\";a:1:{i:1;a:4:{s:9:\"min-score\";s:1:\"0\";s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:4:\"html\";s:70:\"
You scored {[score]}!<\/div>\";s:10:\"access-tag\";s:0:\"\";}}s:8:\"question\";a:1:{i:1;a:7:{s:15:\"checked-is-open\";s:2:\"no\";s:13:\"question-html\";s:24:\"Question text goes here?\";s:22:\"incorrect-message-html\";s:10:\"Incorrect.\";s:13:\"radio-correct\";s:1:\"1\";s:13:\"survey-weight\";s:1:\"1\";s:5:\"order\";a:4:{i:0;s:1:\"1\";i:1;s:1:\"2\";i:2;s:1:\"3\";i:3;s:1:\"4\";}s:6:\"choice\";a:4:{i:1;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}i:2;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}i:3;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}i:4;a:4:{s:4:\"html\";s:21:\"Choice text goes here\";s:15:\"checked-correct\";s:2:\"no\";s:21:\"select-survey-outcome\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"segment-score\";s:1:\"1\";}}}}}s:12:\"sharing-text\";s:0:\"\";s:13:\"sharing-image\";s:0:\"\";s:11:\"sharing-url\";s:0:\"\";s:17:\"fb-automation-tag\";s:0:\"\";}"],"_progressally_certificate":["a:2:{s:8:\"max-cert\";s:1:\"0\";s:4:\"cert\";a:0:{}}"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":[""],"_is4wp_prohibited_action":["default"],"_is4wp_redirect_url":[""],"_is4wp_facebook_crawler":["0"],"_is4wp_google_1stclick":["1"],"_is4wp_membership_levels":[""],"_is4wp_anonymous_only":["0"],"_is4wp_any_loggedin_user":["0"],"_is4wp_any_membership":[""],"_edit_lock":["1577016792:1"],"_is4wp_private_comments":["0"],"_is4wp_can_comment":[""],"_is4wp_commenter_tag":[""],"_is4wp_commenter_action":["0"],"_is4wp_commenter_goal":[""],"_is4wp_access_tags":[""],"_is4wp_access_tags2":[""],"_is4wp_contact_ids":[""],"_is4wp_discourage_cache":["0"],"_is4wp_force_public":["0"],"_is4wp_hide_from_menu":["0"],"_iswp_custom_code":["a:3:{s:4:\"head\";s:0:\"\";s:3:\"css\";s:0:\"\";s:2:\"js\";s:0:\"\";}"],"_is4wp_learndash_achievement":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_approved_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_approved_tags":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_upload_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_assignment_upload_tags":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_autoenroll":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_autojoin":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_badges":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_fail_actions":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_fail_goals":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_fail_tags":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_goals":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_orientation":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_pdfformat":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_redirect":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_shortcodes":[""],"_is4wp_learndash_tags":[""],"_is4wp_lms_complete_percent":[""],"_is4wp_lms_completed":[""],"_is4wp_lms_grade":[""],"_is4wp_lms_start_date":[""],"_is4wp_wpcw_completion_tag":[""],"rank_math_analytic_object_id":["6311"],"_uag_css_file_name":["uag-css-27236.css"],"_uag_page_assets":["a:9:{s:3:\"css\";s:7156:\".uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-desktop) !important}@media (max-width: 976px){.uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-tablet) !important}}@media (max-width: 767px){.uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-mobile) !important}}\n.wp-block-uagb-image{display:flex}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure{position:relative;display:flex;flex-direction:column;max-width:100%;height:auto;margin:0}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;display:flex;max-width:100%;transition:box-shadow 0.2s ease}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure>a{display:inline-block}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure figcaption{text-align:center;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:1em}.wp-block-uagb-image .components-placeholder.block-editor-media-placeholder .components-placeholder__instructions{align-self:center}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-left{text-align:left}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-right{text-align:right}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-center{text-align:center}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-full .wp-block-uagb-image__figure{margin-left:calc(50% - 50vw);margin-right:calc(50% - 50vw);max-width:100vw;width:100vw;height:auto}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-full .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;width:100% !important}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-wide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;width:100%}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{position:absolute;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;opacity:0.2;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);transition:opacity 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay-link{position:absolute;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;top:0}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity:1}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner{position:absolute;left:15px;right:15px;bottom:15px;top:15px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-direction:column;border-color:#fff;transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-center,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-right{justify-content:flex-start}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-center,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-right{justify-content:flex-end}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.center-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-left{align-items:flex-start}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-right,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.center-right,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-right{align-items:flex-end}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading{color:#fff;transition:transform 0.35s, opacity 0.35s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 24px, 0);margin:0;line-height:1em}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{width:30%;border-top-width:2px;border-top-color:#fff;border-top-style:solid;margin-bottom:10px;opacity:0;transition:transform 0.4s, opacity 0.4s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 30px, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity:0;overflow:visible;color:#fff;transition:transform 0.45s, opacity 0.45s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 35px, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-heading,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-separator,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-caption{opacity:1;transform:translate3d(0, 0, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:scale(1);transition:transform 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:scale(1.05)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{width:calc(100% + 40px) !important;max-width:none !important;transform:translate3d(-40px, 0, 0);transition:transform 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:translate3d(0, 0, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-grayscale img{filter:grayscale(0%);transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-grayscale:hover img{filter:grayscale(100%)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-blur img{filter:blur(0);transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-blur:hover img{filter:blur(3px)}\n.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure figcaption{font-style: normal;align-self: center;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 0.2;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner{left: 15px;right: 15px;top: 15px;bottom: 15px;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading{font-style: normal;color: #fff;opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading a{color: #fff;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{width: 30%;border-top-width: 2px;border-top-color: #fff;opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}}\";s:2:\"js\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"current_block_list\";a:3:{i:0;s:14:\"core\/paragraph\";i:1;s:10:\"uagb\/image\";i:2;s:10:\"core\/image\";}s:8:\"uag_flag\";b:1;s:11:\"uag_version\";s:10:\"1776978118\";s:6:\"gfonts\";a:0:{}s:10:\"gfonts_url\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"gfonts_files\";a:0:{}s:14:\"uag_faq_layout\";b:0;}"]},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false,"post-thumbnail":false,"gform-image-choice-sm":false,"gform-image-choice-md":false,"gform-image-choice-lg":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"EC Admin","author_link":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/author\/ecmembersadm-2\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Jesus states, \"For they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them.\" Whoa, you mean birds do not work, yet our God feeds them? Now isn't this a violation of God's economic principles of sowing and reaping?","comments_count":0,"content_native":[{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Which of you by worrying can add a cubit to his stature?<\/em> -Matthew 6:26<\/strong><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Which of you by worrying can add a cubit to his stature?<\/em> -Matthew 6:26<\/strong><\/p>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{},"backgroundColor":"#eeeeee"}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"


According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, man's foundational needs are physiological. These needs - food, drink, and clothing - are the literal requirements for human survival. If they are not met, the human body cannot continue to survive. Although Maslow's hierarchy is incomplete - in that it does not include man's need for God - it does speak to those natural elements that cause man to worry and become anxious. Nothing creates anxiety and worry like the feeling that one will run out of food and natural provision.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"
According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, man's foundational needs are physiological. These needs - food, drink, and clothing - are the literal requirements for human survival. If they are not met, the human body cannot continue to survive. Although Maslow's hierarchy is incomplete - in that it does not include man's need for God - it does speak to those natural elements that cause man to worry and become anxious. Nothing creates anxiety and worry like the feeling that one will run out of food and natural provision."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

This is why Jesus addresses this issue head-on during His Sermon on the Mount. He states in Matthew 6:25, \"Therefore I say to you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?\" As if that were not enough, He continues in verse 26 to challenge us to look at the birds of the air and learn from them.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"This is why Jesus addresses this issue head-on during His Sermon on the Mount. He states in Matthew 6:25, \"Therefore I say to you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?\" As if that were not enough, He continues in verse 26 to challenge us to look at the birds of the air and learn from them."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

What can we learn from birds?<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"What can we learn from birds?"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

Jesus states, \"For they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them.\" Whoa, you mean birds do not work, yet our God feeds them? Now isn't this a violation of God's economic principles of sowing and reaping? The Apostle Paul makes it very clear in II Thessalonians 3:10b, that \"If anyone will not work, neither should he eat.\" God Himself states in Genesis 3:19a \"In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground.\"<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Jesus states, \"For they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly father feeds them.\" Whoa, you mean birds do not work, yet our God feeds them? Now isn't this a violation of God's economic principles of sowing and reaping? The Apostle Paul makes it very clear in II Thessalonians 3:10b, that \"If anyone will not work, neither should he eat.\" God Himself states in Genesis 3:19a \"In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground.\""}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

Why does God give birds preferential treatment? He does not. Jesus is teaching us about a law higher than the law of sowing and reaping-the law of sovereignty. The law of sovereignty is God's complete authority and power over His entire universe. The way laws work is that any law can be overridden by a higher law. For instance, according to the law, it is illegal to drive past a red traffic light. However, if there is a policeman driving his car with his siren on, not only can he pass the red light, but if you are blocking his car, you must move to make way for him.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Why does God give birds preferential treatment? He does not. Jesus is teaching us about a law higher than the law of sowing and reaping-the law of sovereignty. The law of sovereignty is God's complete authority and power over His entire universe. The way laws work is that any law can be overridden by a higher law. For instance, according to the law, it is illegal to drive past a red traffic light. However, if there is a policeman driving his car with his siren on, not only can he pass the red light, but if you are blocking his car, you must move to make way for him."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

The law of sowing and reaping states that if a man will not work (sow), he shall not eat (reap). The law of sovereignty, however, states that God has authority and rule over the entire creation, and He will provide for anyone He chooses in any way He chooses. The lesson here is that if God can feed a non-working bird that is not made in His image and likeness, what about you and me, who not only are made in His image and likeness, but also work to bring Him glory?<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"The law of sowing and reaping states that if a man will not work (sow), he shall not eat (reap). The law of sovereignty, however, states that God has authority and rule over the entire creation, and He will provide for anyone He chooses in any way He chooses. The lesson here is that if God can feed a non-working bird that is not made in His image and likeness, what about you and me, who not only are made in His image and likeness, but also work to bring Him glory?"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

Why did Jesus use this example? I imagine that He was ministering to people who were worried about their provision, not necessarily because they were not willing to work, but perhaps because they could not find jobs as a result of discrimination towards Jews in a Roman colony.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Why did Jesus use this example? I imagine that He was ministering to people who were worried about their provision, not necessarily because they were not willing to work, but perhaps because they could not find jobs as a result of discrimination towards Jews in a Roman colony."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

In their day, just like today, there was possibly limited job availability. Maybe there were people who had jobs, but who were not making enough money to meet their basic needs. As one of my friends puts it, they had more days in the month than they had money.  I am sure that there were businessmen in His midst who were unfairly and heavily taxed which impacted their profitability. Some may have been forced to close their businesses, and others may have faced low demand since customers themselves were economically challenged.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"In their day, just like today, there was possibly limited job availability. Maybe there were people who had jobs, but who were not making enough money to meet their basic needs. As one of my friends puts it, they had more days in the month than they had money.  I am sure that there were businessmen in His midst who were unfairly and heavily taxed which impacted their profitability. Some may have been forced to close their businesses, and others may have faced low demand since customers themselves were economically challenged."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

The questions the people must have asked Jesus were, \"How will we feed ourselves and our families? How will we pay our workers and pay our expenses?\" Jesus responded by saying, \"Do not worry; do not be anxious; do not take the problem into your own hands. God has not forsaken you; man does not live by bread alone.\"<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"The questions the people must have asked Jesus were, \"How will we feed ourselves and our families? How will we pay our workers and pay our expenses?\" Jesus responded by saying, \"Do not worry; do not be anxious; do not take the problem into your own hands. God has not forsaken you; man does not live by bread alone.\""}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

To illustrate His point, He pointed to the birds of the air. God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, the Sustainer of life, the Creator of all things, the Faithful Wonder Himself feeds them.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"To illustrate His point, He pointed to the birds of the air. God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, the Sustainer of life, the Creator of all things, the Faithful Wonder Himself feeds them."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

He,
El Elyon - the Lord most high,
El Shaddai- the God who is sufficient for the needs of His people,
Jehovah Elohim - the Eternal Creator,
El Olam - the Everlasting God,
Jehovah Jireh - the Lord our Provider,
Jehovah Shalom - the Lord our Peace,
Jehovah Shammah - the Lord is present,
Jehovah Rohi - the Lord our Shepherd,
Jehovah Huseemu - the Lord our Maker,
Jehovah Eloheenu - the Lord our Maker,
He cares for them!<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"He,
El Elyon - the Lord most high,
El Shaddai- the God who is sufficient for the needs of His people,
Jehovah Elohim - the Eternal Creator,
El Olam - the Everlasting God,
Jehovah Jireh - the Lord our Provider,
Jehovah Shalom - the Lord our Peace,
Jehovah Shammah - the Lord is present,
Jehovah Rohi - the Lord our Shepherd,
Jehovah Huseemu - the Lord our Maker,
Jehovah Eloheenu - the Lord our Maker,
He cares for them!"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

Now if God takes care of birds that do not work, what about you and me who are not only created in His image and likeness and whose difficulty is not as a result of slothfulness on our part or even our lack of a desire to work? Will God not take care of us in the midst of circumstances outside our control? Even if our circumstances are due to mistakes on our part, we serve a God who is merciful, kind, gentle, generous, forgiving, and who works all things \"together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose\" Romans 8:28.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Now if God takes care of birds that do not work, what about you and me who are not only created in His image and likeness and whose difficulty is not as a result of slothfulness on our part or even our lack of a desire to work? Will God not take care of us in the midst of circumstances outside our control? Even if our circumstances are due to mistakes on our part, we serve a God who is merciful, kind, gentle, generous, forgiving, and who works all things \"together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose\" Romans 8:28."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"

How are you doing? Have you lost your job? Is revenue down? Are you worried about meeting your needs, meeting payroll, or paying the bills? Follow Jesus' instructions:  look at the birds of the air and know that you have more value than they do.  My prayer for you is that, \"my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus\" Philippians 4:19. Think about His goodness in the morning and thank Him for His faithfulness as you lay down at night. He will take care of you.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"How are you doing? Have you lost your job? Is revenue down? Are you worried about meeting your needs, meeting payroll, or paying the bills? Follow Jesus' instructions:  look at the birds of the air and know that you have more value than they do.  My prayer for you is that, \"my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus\" Philippians 4:19. Think about His goodness in the morning and thank Him for His faithfulness as you lay down at night. He will take care of you."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}}],"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"bb_access":{"can_access":true,"restrict_message":null},"app_access":{"can_access":true,"restrict_message":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27236","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27236"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27236\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27236"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}