READING: Matthew 5-7
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: Worry is a funny thing, you know. We apparently think that worrying about something will fix it (or else why would we so often continue to worry?) — but we soon find out that worry only consumes and enslaves us. We get captured in our wrong thinking . . . and then we worry about that, too!
But, Jesus tells us why we need not worry:
1. God who takes care of the birds of the air and the wildflowers of the field will surely take care of us who are created in His image (Matt. 6:26, 28). He just does it in His time!
2. Worry can’t add a moment of time to our life (Matt. 6:27). In fact, it probably shortens our life at times.
3. God knows what we need, and He’ll provide that as long as we seek His kingdom first (Matt. 6:33). We need not be like idolaters who seek only temporary “stuff” (Matt. 6:31-32).
4. Worry is consumed by concern about the future — and it consequently risks missing what God is doing today (Matt. 6:33-34).
Matt. 6:33-34 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
ACTION STEPS: Every time you worry about something today, turn to God in repentance and prayer. Don’t let consuming worry become an idol you cannot dethrone.
PRAYER: “God, teach me to trust You so much that worry loses its force in my life.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Matthew 8:1-13, Luke 7
