tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19769805.post8979164968199233872..comments2023-11-02T09:14:47.151-05:00Comments on Bill's Thoughts: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, 16Bill Ballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13573859102823530876noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19769805.post-22958101704023030992011-04-15T11:25:00.544-05:002011-04-15T11:25:00.544-05:00Dear Bill,
In a meeting recently someone quoted Je...Dear Bill,<br />In a meeting recently someone quoted Jesus' words in Matthew 6 regarding provisions. She said there was never any reason to worry because if we made it a practice to "Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness", our basic needs would always be met. Someone else in the room said, "But what if He doesn't provide those needs?" Of course, the quick response was, "Then you aren't meeting God's conditions."<br /><br />I sensed at the time that something was wrong but I wasn't sure what was bothering me. Are there instances when God doesn't provide the 3 basics Jesus mentioned? Certainly. In WWII when the Japanese invaded the Philippines and marched those brave young soldiers (and civilians) down the Bataan Peninsula, pure water, food, and clothing were not provided; nor were these provided during the next 3-1/2 years when these young men were held in some of the most ghastly prison camps of the war. Many died from lack of pure water, many starved to death; and when they were repatriated 3-1/2 years later, many were still wearing the same uniforms (now rags) they had worn when captured years before. Water, food, clothing? God's promise of provision? What's missing here? Did Jesus lie? God forbid. Or did the boys fail to appropriate because they didn't, "Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness." Also, God forbid. <br /><br />I'd appreciate your thoughts.<br />Best as always,<br />Bob McCollumPete Palamountainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09245906293561176148noreply@blogger.com