August 18, 2002
Part III
Matthew 6:25-34
By illustrating with the
birds of the air just how foolish it is for His people to worry, our Lord now
focuses on another basic need – the needs of our body.
And
why are you anxious about clothing?
Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do then
spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe
himself like one of these. But if God
so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown
into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith?
Jesus uses the illustration of lilies of the field who do not toil nor spin. He further emphasizes this truth by referring to King Solomon, that even in his magnificence he could not compare with these lowly but lovely blossoms. He caps it off by mentioning the grass of the field, arrayed by our Lord even though it is here today and gone tomorrow.
Then our Lord pinpoints the reason we worry, “O you of little faith.” Ouch! The problem with those of us who worry is that we simply do not trust our Lord the way we should. We fail to acknowledge who God is and what He is able to do! He then gives another admonition not to worry ‘
Do
not be anxious then, saying, “What shall we eat” or “What shall we drink?’ or
“With what shall we clothe ourselves” for all these things the Gentiles eagerly
seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
How often God’s children act like unbelievers who do not have the divine resources that we do! Jesus reminds us that our heavenly Father knows our needs. What a great comfort this is, just to be aware that God knows and is aware of everything we need. Jesus then challenges us with the cure for anxiety -
But
seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be
added to you.
In other words, put God first in your life above everything else and He WILL take care of you! He closes out with
Therefore
do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own!
Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has not yet arrived. When it comes tomorrow will take care of itself. There is enough trouble in every day to keep us busy so let’s not project into the future as to what we are afraid might happen – tomorrow or a month from now! Trust God! Believe Him for your life’s needs. Put fear of the future aside.
Is there something you are worrying about today, beloved? If so then take our Lord’s words to heart. God bless.
Love in Christ,