Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV)
MARCH 6, 2010
BEGIN AGAIN... TO BE THE PEOPLE GOD WANTS US TO BE: WHY WASTE YOUR TIME WORRYING?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. St. Matthew 6:31-34 (NKJV)
We hear reports of massive earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornados, floods, blizzards, ice storms, drought, and periods of extreme heat or bitter cold. We eagerly await the video reports so we can see the damage, the despair, and what seems to be extreme helplessness. We worry.
We hear of wars and rumors of wars, of nations building destructive plans and equipment for destroying one another. We hear of a Terrorist attack that has either been foiled or was carried out and await the videos to see the carnage and loss of innocent lives. We worry.
We hear of factories closing or moving to another country, we hear of high interest rates, foreclosures, bankruptcies and businesses downsizing. Because of higher prices and lower wages, we either watch our savings decrease or our debts increase. We worry.
Certainly we can add many more categories and say without hesitation, We worry.
In place of being worried, Jesus would ask each of us as He does in verses 31 and 32, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”
It is simple, God knows all these things. We already know that God cares about His Creation. When the ground is covered with inches or feet of snow, God has still provided for the wild birds and animals, though we might not see the food. It is there for the birds and animals all year long.
We then move on to verse 34 where Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Here Jesus is telling us that we should not only not be worried about the problems that we have carried over from all of the yesterdays, but above all, don’t add to them all of the unknown problems that might arise tomorrow.
Read again these important words, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Here is the problem. If we are going to spend all of our time worrying about the burdens that have needlessly piled up in the past and add to that the worries of what might happen on any tomorrow, it will surely seem that there is no hope.
But there is hope. Not, maybe there is hope. Not, there could be hope. Just a positive, affirmative, There is hope. As we were looking at these verses you probably noted that we skipped verse 33 - “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” It sounds like such a simple thing and it is. However, people try to make it so hard. They want to put their own limits on what they might be required to do. It does not work that way.
We hear many complaints about people who migrate from one Nation to another and then want that nation to adapt to their native ways. It does not work that way with God. If we are going to seek the Kingdom of God, then we must acknowledge God as our Lord and King and do things His Way if we want to free ourselves of the burdens of the world of sin in which we live.
How do we seek first the Kingdom of God? We must begin with a fervent daily prayer. We must know the difference between a promise of God and one of the world. If we have financial problems, we hear the call of the Lottery, the casino, the Bingo game saying come and bring your money and take a chance because you MIGHT win. God says, come and seek and you WILL receive.
To seek first the Kingdom of God is not easy; in fact it is hard, too hard for some people to even consider. To seek the Kingdom of God we will be required to give up many things that we not only enjoy, but at times what we have made the main focus of our lives. The Kingdom of God is not hidden in some dark, secret place that is almost impossible to find. It is right here among us. The Kingdom of God is not secondary to any earthly government. We may think it is because “we the people” have granted earthly governments permission to establish “socially and politically correct” concepts and rules for us to live by.
No wonder we worry. We have placed people to be in charge of what God created and said it was “good.”
As an example. We have seen pictures and heard stories about the massive destruction done by tsunamis and recently of 26-30 foot high waves that crashed into a cruise ship, causing damage and death on a smaller scale. We are in despair as there is nothing we can do about the terrible force of nature. Why do we say that? People say that because they believe that there is no way we can control the violent forces of nature. They call it an Act of God.
If we are honest with ourselves, we know that is not correct. As we study God’s Word we know that after anything He created, He said that it was Good. The gift of weather, changing seasons was a good gift. As we study the Bible, we find an account of some men, disciples of Jesus, out on this lake in their old wooden fishing boat. It has been a calm evening and all of a sudden the gale-like winds arise. The boat is being tossed about, waves pouring water into the boat. The disciples are in a state of panic. Fear reigns supreme. All of a sudden they remember that Jesus is in the boat with them. They look around. There He is, sound asleep as the boat tosses even more violently. “Master, Master” they cry out, “don’t you care that we are perishing?” Jesus awakens, stands up and asked them, “Why are ye afraid? Oh ye of little faith.” Then Jesus stretches His Hands over the water and says, “Peace, be still.” and the waters became calm. The disciples said among themselves, He has power over even the waters of the sea!”
Why are we afraid? Why do we worry? We don’t need to be afraid. We don’t need to worry. All we need to do is to turn our eyes upon Jesus, read, study and accept His Lordship and follow Him.
The world offers what they call The Good Life. However there is a cost. God offers an even Better Life. WHY WASTE YOUR TIME WORRYING when you can be in prayer and Bible Study seeking first the Kingdom of God and the all of the things you worry about will no longer be a worry. Remember that Jesus did something even greater than calm the waters. On Good Friday, with His own Life He overcame the power of sin, death and the devil. Once you begin to discover the glories of the Kingdom of God, you will wonder why it took you so long to get started. Seek ye first. Turn your eyes upon Jesus beginning right now.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, All too often we want to do things our way. We forget that You carried out the creation of everything in this world we need. As I encounter others in this world who also worry about this and that, please grant to me the right words and a heart filling with compassion as I seek to lead them to you. AMEN
LIVING THE DEVOTION
Begin by reading the Book of Genesis. As you read, make notes of the Power of God in the Creation. See what God does when His people are faithful to Him such as Abraham and Sarah, Noah and Joseph, and people who did not hold fast to their belief in Him. The people at the Tower of Babel, Sodom and Gomorra. Make a decision as to which group you want to follow. Then study your Bible, make notes of the great hope God offers in His Kingdom. Don’t stop there. Continue to Grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Christ and enjoy the benefits of living in His Kingdom. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? Email me and I will be happy to respond.
GOD’S PEACE. SEE YOU AT THE HOUSE.