“But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”—Matthew
6:33
The people living under the Old
Covenant had some very straight guidelines for dealing with injustices. For example, kidnapping was punishable by
death, as was cursing your mother or father.
Sorcery was punishable by death, mistreatment of a stranger was not
permitted, and if someone borrowed anything from their neighbor who was not
present when it became injured or died; restitution was expected. It was taught “eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for
burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe” (Exodus 21-22).
Under
the New Covenant the guidelines for injustices are different than the Old
Covenant’s. Jesus taught “You have head that it was said, ‘An eye for
an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person.
But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew
5:38-39). He taught that we are to
love our enemies and bless the people who curse us. Furthermore, we are instructed not to curse,
and if someone forces us to go one mile we are to walk with that person two
miles, and many other things (Matthew 5-8).
Patrick Wood told how he was driving
down a road one day and a big truck carrying a boat careened into his
lane. His reaction was to veer out of
the path of the truck; he narrowly missed hitting the large boat motor which
would have went through his windshield instantly killing him. Thinking that he had somehow missed
everything and that his live would be spared, he did not see the ditch, utility
poles, and lake. His car hit the utility
poles which halted his car from plunging into the lake. Miraculously, there was not a scratch on
Patrick’s body, but his car was a total loss.
However, the guy driving the truck fled the scene of the accident
leaving no evidence that he was the cause of the accident. Patrick said that he felt, “humanly
helpless,” and that was when he brought his case before God. He based his prayer petition on Matthew 6:33
saying something like this, “Father, You said that if I seek first Your kingdom
and Your righteousness my needs would be provided. Now as far as I can tell, I’ve met my
responsibility on that, obeying Your voice instead of the worlds. Now, if I am mistaken, let me know, but
please give me justice and a
car.”
One week after Patrick prayed the
authorities phoned him and told him that a woman had witnessed the accident and
followed the man who caused the accident.
She wrote down his license plate number.
Shortly after receiving the first call, his church called and said that someone
had a car that they wanted to donate to him. Justice and a car had come to Patrick.
One evening after Jesus’
crucifixion, Peter and some of his fellow disciples resumed their former careers
on the Sea of Galilee. They fished
throughout the night, not catching anything.
As if losing their best friend was not enough, they must have been
discouraged because no fish had been caught.
All of a sudden, a man appeared on the sea shore yelling, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the
boat.” They took the advice reaping
a harvest that was reminiscent of other times when Peter had taken Jesus’
advice on fishing (John 21:1-6).
Likewise, our needs are met when we
heed Jesus’ instruction. Essential to
seeking God’s kingdom and experiencing its “terms of provision” is obeying the
One seated on its throne. Confident that
you are living this way, take comfort in His power to provide, be assured of
His desire to do so, and place your trust in the timing of His choice. You will not be disappointed.
Prayer—Father
I repent for the times that I have sought my own justice instead of Yours, and
I ask You to forgive me. Today I look to
You for Your justice and provision in my life, in Jesus Name. Amen.
