"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:34 (NKJV)
Provision is a funny thing—the more we have, the more we tend to put our faith in it, rather than the provider. There is something deceiving about a fully stocked cabinet of groceries and a bank account, as they can bring about a sense of safety, but should we find our safety in our abundance, or should we find it in our Lord? I know the answer to this question clearly, but I ask it nonetheless because of the multitude of people I see and hear who are suffering needlessly from anxiety and worry.
I believe many of us have been raised in an environment and culture where having plenty is expected if you work hard, so when we lose jobs and our income becomes depleted we can tend to focus our attention on what we don’t have rather than what we do have. We can fix our minds upon the doubting thoughts of the enemy rather than focusing upon the promises of provision given to us in God’s Word from our Lord and Savior.
Jesus told us we are not to worry about our life. We are not to worry about what we eat or drink, nor about our body, or the clothing we need to ware (Matt. 6:25-32).
Q: Why would Jesus not want us worrying about these things if they were so essential?
I believe the reason is two-fold. First, I believe God wants us to trust in Him completely for every need, not just food and clothing, but to do this we must first believe in His promises. It’s easy to believe when there is plenty, but when things get sparse it can be difficult to walk in faith.
Secondly, I believe Jesus doesn’t want us to get distracted from the calling He has for each of us (Matt. 28:18-20). We tend to place our focus on the temporary things and therefore our greatest resources and efforts are usually given in the pursuit of these things. As Christian men and women we are not merely called to refrain from pursuing temporal things as our primary goals, but we are to replace such pursuits with goals of far greater significance—seeking the kingdom type of goals and activities.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
I want to encourage you to meditate upon these things today. Remember, God is with you and He cares for you so much. He knows your every need, and He is going to do a great work through every tough trial we may face (Rom. 8:28).
STUDY QUESTION: According to the Scriptures in this devotional, what should we be doing?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you worrying about tomorrow? Are you willing to simply focus on doing what is right and trust God completely?
APPLICATION: Let’s focus on doing what we know to be right in every situation. Let’s decide not to worry about anything, but in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let’s make our request be known to God through prayer, and allow Him to provide what is needed.
Provision is a funny thing—the more we have, the more we tend to put our faith in it, rather than the provider. There is something deceiving about a fully stocked cabinet of groceries and a bank account, as they can bring about a sense of safety, but should we find our safety in our abundance, or should we find it in our Lord? I know the answer to this question clearly, but I ask it nonetheless because of the multitude of people I see and hear who are suffering needlessly from anxiety and worry.
I believe many of us have been raised in an environment and culture where having plenty is expected if you work hard, so when we lose jobs and our income becomes depleted we can tend to focus our attention on what we don’t have rather than what we do have. We can fix our minds upon the doubting thoughts of the enemy rather than focusing upon the promises of provision given to us in God’s Word from our Lord and Savior.
Jesus told us we are not to worry about our life. We are not to worry about what we eat or drink, nor about our body, or the clothing we need to ware (Matt. 6:25-32).
Q: Why would Jesus not want us worrying about these things if they were so essential?
I believe the reason is two-fold. First, I believe God wants us to trust in Him completely for every need, not just food and clothing, but to do this we must first believe in His promises. It’s easy to believe when there is plenty, but when things get sparse it can be difficult to walk in faith.
Secondly, I believe Jesus doesn’t want us to get distracted from the calling He has for each of us (Matt. 28:18-20). We tend to place our focus on the temporary things and therefore our greatest resources and efforts are usually given in the pursuit of these things. As Christian men and women we are not merely called to refrain from pursuing temporal things as our primary goals, but we are to replace such pursuits with goals of far greater significance—seeking the kingdom type of goals and activities.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
I want to encourage you to meditate upon these things today. Remember, God is with you and He cares for you so much. He knows your every need, and He is going to do a great work through every tough trial we may face (Rom. 8:28).
STUDY QUESTION: According to the Scriptures in this devotional, what should we be doing?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you worrying about tomorrow? Are you willing to simply focus on doing what is right and trust God completely?
APPLICATION: Let’s focus on doing what we know to be right in every situation. Let’s decide not to worry about anything, but in prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let’s make our request be known to God through prayer, and allow Him to provide what is needed.
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