February 7: Trusting His Provision.
HIS INTERVISION.
"Do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say."--Matthew 10:19
I had to chuckle when I read the comment on Matthew 10:19 in my study Bible: " 'Do not worry about...what you are to say.' Not to be used by preachers as an excuse for lack of sermon preparation!" * As I started studying this topic, I found similar exhortations in other academic commentaries. But even though this verse seems to have been misused, it contains a most important promise of Jesus.
When we get to this verse, Jesus has already addressed the persecution and opposition that His followers would encounter when they would be handed over to courts and synagogues (Matthew 10:17). And now Jesus expands this to include the highest levels of society and authority: "You will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles" (verse 18). Even these unplanned and perhaps unpleasant meetings with authorities and dignitaries would be used by God as missionary endeavors, to witness about Jesus to unbelievers.
Jesus went on to discuss that in some of these critical circumstances, a verbal witnessing would be necessary. And this is where Jesus asserts that our Father, whom we trust to provide for our daily and basic needs (Matthew 6:25-34), would also provide the words we are to speak in such a crisis. This is a most assuring promise: no matter the social status or intellectual capabilities of the followers of Jesus called to witness in this manner, God will intervene and provide a Divine Resource. "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you" (Matthew 10:20). Therefore "do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour" (verse 19). Jesus says that we should not be anxious about our witnessing, even at the highest levels of authority. We will be talking about Jesus, and the Father intervenes by giving His Spirit for such situations. Yes, God provides our food and clothing (Matthew 6:25-34), and He also provides our words when we give our testimony of Jesus (Matthew 10:18-20). Therefore "do not worry" and trust the Spirit's intervention.
My Response:____________________________________________________
HIS INTERVISION.
"Do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say."--Matthew 10:19
I had to chuckle when I read the comment on Matthew 10:19 in my study Bible: " 'Do not worry about...what you are to say.' Not to be used by preachers as an excuse for lack of sermon preparation!" * As I started studying this topic, I found similar exhortations in other academic commentaries. But even though this verse seems to have been misused, it contains a most important promise of Jesus.
When we get to this verse, Jesus has already addressed the persecution and opposition that His followers would encounter when they would be handed over to courts and synagogues (Matthew 10:17). And now Jesus expands this to include the highest levels of society and authority: "You will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles" (verse 18). Even these unplanned and perhaps unpleasant meetings with authorities and dignitaries would be used by God as missionary endeavors, to witness about Jesus to unbelievers.
Jesus went on to discuss that in some of these critical circumstances, a verbal witnessing would be necessary. And this is where Jesus asserts that our Father, whom we trust to provide for our daily and basic needs (Matthew 6:25-34), would also provide the words we are to speak in such a crisis. This is a most assuring promise: no matter the social status or intellectual capabilities of the followers of Jesus called to witness in this manner, God will intervene and provide a Divine Resource. "For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you" (Matthew 10:20). Therefore "do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour" (verse 19). Jesus says that we should not be anxious about our witnessing, even at the highest levels of authority. We will be talking about Jesus, and the Father intervenes by giving His Spirit for such situations. Yes, God provides our food and clothing (Matthew 6:25-34), and He also provides our words when we give our testimony of Jesus (Matthew 10:18-20). Therefore "do not worry" and trust the Spirit's intervention.
My Response:____________________________________________________
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