Temporary or Permanent Things?

John 6:26-27 - Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him." 

"Most assuredly"...or as the King James version openly declares, "verily, verily." Both these delightful phrases mean "I tell you the truth..."

So here we have more truth about Jesus who is Truth and what He has to offer. People had begun to hear about Jesus. They hunted Him down as He traveled the Galileean countryside and across the Sea of Galilee. They followed on foot, perhaps on donkeys and in boats. They wanted to see this man who was healing people. Perhaps some wanted a healing themselves but I suspect some just wanted to see the miracles. He had what they needed. 

They sought what they could see. We are called to seek what we cannot see...the harder of the two.

What is it each of us wants? Do we want healing physically or emotionally? Do we want financial security? Do we want to know that our futures are secure? You name it, it's your want. Maybe we want to see a miracle in our lives...maybe to prove the Lord is still active? Some thing that proves without a shadow of a doubt it was God.

These people followed Him because He had food to share with them. They were needy and He fed them. After that they were satisfied. Isn't that just like us? Satisfy the immediate needs. There are people I know who live like this. Even Christian friends. Perhaps I fall into this category myself at times.

Jesus tells us in the scripture above basically not to spend your riches on things that will only bring temporary pleasure and satisfaction. He provides for us if we hold on to our faith in Him, if we don't get all worried about what we see in this world. Of course we still need to be wise about things. The Word tells us to be good stewards of what He has given us.

A friend called one day. She was all excited. This particular type of outward expression I have figured out is when she's stressed about something. It's her way of coping. She was stressed about this, that and another thing about our nation and where it's headed. Things she cannot control. Oh, we can pray about things. God will hear but everything is ultimately in His hands. Maybe everything we are going through is necessary to shake us into opening our eyes and getting off our butts instead of just believing that we are a blessed nation...even without God.

I couldn't get a word in edgewise as she spoke with great animation for twenty minutes. All I could say, finally, at the end was, "but we aren't supposed to allow ourselves to become worried. We need to have faith in our God. We need to show that we have faith in our God, that our peace lies in Him."

He has promised to take care of his children. He has told us above to seek Him but not for the outward things. If we are in relationship with Him the promise of protection is for us. Yes, we'll see some rough times but He will have us in the palm of His hand just the same.

2Corinthians 4 talks about not losing heart...although the outward man is perishing it is the inward man that is being renewed. That can only come from staying focused on the Word, on Jesus, and having faith that no matter what happens, we are secure, even unto death...if we are in Christ.

Where do we place our trust? Are we going to let ourselves become anxious about the things we see happening in this world? This is putting our own fears into action, not trusting God has a plan. We are only humans, incapable of understanding God's ways. Are we going to put our trust in the visible things of the world that fade or in the unseen, yet fully alive Christ?

After writing all this, Oswald Chambers' blog for August 5 stated these things: The things that happen do not happen by chance, they happen entirely in the decree of God. God is working out His purpose (in our lives and on earth)...As we go on in the Christian life it gets simpler, because we are less inclined to say--Now why did God allow this and that?...A Christian is one who trusts the wits and the wisdom of God, and not his own wits."

He has said not to look at the outward things but stay focused on Him. Seek Him in good times and bad. We can listen all we want to today's news but sticking close to His Word, which is "the food that endures," is better. Our life is there. The news can bring anxiety but we can find peace in God's Word. This is our source of comfort. It's an unseen life, yet it is true life. That's why it is called the bread from heaven. It is the living Word...Jesus was the Word that became flesh and lived among us (John 1:14). He is still alive today (seated at the right hand of God)...unseen but active.

John 6:33, 35 - For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."