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Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing
was opening to them the treasures of heaven, the question uppermost
in many minds was, How will a connection with Him advance our
prospects in the world? Jesus shows that in making the things of the
world their supreme anxiety they were like the heathen nations about
them, living as if there were no God, whose tender care is over His
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creatures.
“All these things,” said Jesus, “do the nations of the world seek
after.” “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these
things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Luke 12:30
;
Matthew
6:32, 33
. I have come to open to you the kingdom of love and righ-
teousness and peace. Open your hearts to receive this kingdom, and
make its service your highest interest. Though it is a spiritual kingdom,
fear not that your needs for this life will be uncared-for. If you give
yourself to God’s service, He who has all power in heaven and earth
will provide for your needs.
Jesus does not release us from the necessity of effort, but He
teaches that we are to make Him first and last and best in everything.
We are to engage in no business, follow no pursuit, seek no pleasure,
that would hinder the outworking of His righteousness in our character
and life. Whatever we do is to be done heartily, as unto the Lord.
Jesus, while He dwelt on earth, dignified life in all its details by
keeping before men the glory of God, and by subordinating everything
to the will of His Father. If we follow His example, His assurance to
us is that all things needful in this life “shall be added.” Poverty or
wealth, sickness or health, simplicity or wisdom—all are provided for
in the promise of His grace.
God’s everlasting arm encircles the soul that turns to Him for aid,
however feeble that soul may be. The precious things of the hills shall
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perish, but the soul that lives for God shall abide with Him. “The world
passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God
abideth forever.”
1 John 2:17
. The city of God will open its golden
gates to receive him who learned while on earth to lean on God for
guidance and wisdom, for comfort and hope, amid loss and affliction.
The songs of the angels will welcome him there, and for him the tree
of life shall yield its fruit. “The mountains shall depart, and the hills
be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall