Morning Devotionals

by Don Emmitte

 

March 1st, 2008

 

“For Times Like These”

Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run 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. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:24-33 NIV).

Today is a day of uncertainty. There are so many who are anxious over health, money, work and school. God does not desire for us to have this level of worry and anxiety. Jesus is very clear that God is to be at the center of our life, your motivations, and the reason behind your ambitions. Our reading today is very clear at this point. When that is the case, there are some very real benefits:

1.      The first benefit is that you will have real security both now and for eternity as this contrast points out. Look at vv. 19-20: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

2.      The second benefit is that you will have freedom from worry and anxiety. This happens for many reasons among them are the fact that what really matters is God's will so your perspective on these anxiety triggers is very different. You are also open to God's peace and joy. Also, you know that God knows about the problem and is doing something about it. That is the implication in verse 32: For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

3.      The third benefit comes out of the certainty that your Heavenly Father knows and it is that he cares! As Jesus points out with his illustration of the birds and the flowers of the field. So you if know that he cares for you whenever you are tempted to worry and be filled with anxiety you can relax and do what Peter urges you to do... Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:19). Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Great advice for a day like this! Give it a try!