Sunday, May 09, 2010

Do Not Worry – Matthew 6:31-33

Matthew 6:31-33“So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink” or “What shall we wear”. For unbelievers chase after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Thesaurus Fun:
Worry – be anxious, troubled, uneasy, full of fear and anxiety, to lose sleep
Seek – look for, search for, request, take, obtain

Trust God

The world is full of worry. The poor worry about their next meal, the middle class worry about their bills, the rich worry about their stocks and companies. Everyone worries about money – “I need to get more money, everyone’s trying to get my money.” We think that money is the answer to everything – that it’ll buy us pleasures and happiness and stave off disaster. But it has never yet lived up to our expectations. Having more money has never eliminated worry, it only changes it. The only way to live free of worry is to learn to trust God. Anything else we put our confidence in will fail us – only God never fails. If we belong to Him, if we are His children, can we doubt that He will take care of us? Will a father not provide for the child he loves (Matthew 7:11)? He knows better than we do what we need. He made our bodies. He “knit (you) together in (your) mother’s womb.( Psalm 139:13)”. As long as you are here, He will give you everything you need. He has always come through for His people.

God wants us to be free from worry for many reasons. First, He wants us to live every day fully relying on and trusting in Him. When we do this, we highlight God’s faithfulness, His power and sovereignty, and His tender love for us. When we depend on Him, He is able to prove Himself strong on our behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9 - KJV). Second, when we are free of worry we are able to focus our lives on the only thing that matters – seeking and building God’s kingdom on this earth, first in ourselves and then in others. When our single passion and focus is God’s glory in us and in the world, how will He not take care of us? If all our desires are focused on Him, how will He not fulfill them (Psalm 37:4)? If His kingdom is our reason in all we do, how will He not give us everything that we need? (2 Corinthians 9:8) We know that, “God will supply all (our) needs according to His glorious riches. (Philippians 4:19)”. It’s time we lived like it. The first step, if you’ve never taken it, is to tithe and give. It is not an option if you want God’s blessing in your life. It is the only way to prove that you trust Him to take care of you. Then, determine to live every day for God’s glory, asking for His help by His Spirit who lives in you. Study His Word that you may know His will and draw near to Him in prayer. Then watch your life change.

Point to Ponder

Do you tend to struggle with worry? What things do you worry about most? Have you committed them to God’s care? Once you have committed a worry to God’s care, reject those thoughts of worry that try to come back but instead turn your eyes to God and say, “I trust You to take care of ___.” If the opportunity arises, place yourself in a position where you must rely on Him. Remember that “God is able to do more than we can ask or imagine… (Ephesians 3:20)”.

Let’s pray, “Lord God, our maker and redeemer, we know that You watch over us and take care of us like a shepherd tends his sheep. We are so grateful that You did not abandon us on this earth to try to provide for ourselves but You have promised to clothe us (Luke 12:28) and feed us (Luke 12:24) and carry us on Your shoulders (Luke 15:5). Help us, O Lord, to trust You in everything, to live in dependence on You that You might show Your faithfulness and love. Let us turn all our thoughts and all our hearts to You. May we pursue You and Your kingdom with a single-minded purpose and passion. May You ever be the driving force of our lives. May we glory in You alone and live for You alone in the power of Your Spirit alone. Thank You for Your Word through which You have set forth many and great promises, and shown us who You are. To You, our God, be all glory and honor and power and praise throughout all generations and forever. Amen!”

See these songs: I Will Trust in You, I’m Letting go / Lord, Take it all