2/16/2018
"You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about
it. And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the flowers in the field. See
how they grow. They don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you
that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as
one of these flowers. God clothes the grass in the field like that. That grass
is living today, but tomorrow it is thrown into the fire to be burned. So you
know that God will clothe you much more. Don't have so little faith!"
— Matthew 6:27-30
KEY THOUGHT: What's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? While God made many wonderful and marvelous sights for us to see on our planet and in the universe, God still calls us his children, his most marvelous work. King Solomon was the richest Israelite king. He had clothing beyond compare in the ancient world, but the beauty of his garments couldn't rival that of the wildflowers on the hillside. God gives these flowers beauty and nourishment out of his grace. Jesus reminds us that if God takes that much care with wildflowers, then won't he do even more to take care of us, his creations of splendor? So let's not worry. Instead, let's pursue our Father. Let's cast our anxieties at his feet and trust in his care. Yes, there may be some bumpy and heartbreaking times as we make our journey through life here on earth, but his grace will ultimately bring us to his glory and splendor.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Please give me patience, O Almighty God. I want to cast my cares and anxieties on you, but I'm not quite sure how to let them go. Through your Spirit, help me relinquish my search for significance in what I can acquire, possess, control, or invest. I want to trust you and rely on your gracious provision. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
TODAY'S VERSE IN CONTEXT: "So I tell you, don't worry about the food you need to live. And don't worry about the clothes you need for your body. Life is more important than food. And the body is more important than clothes. Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or save food in barns. But your heavenly Father feeds those birds. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. "And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the flowers in the field. See how they grow. They don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. God clothes the grass in the field like that. That grass is living today, but tomorrow it is thrown into the fire to be burned. So you know that God will clothe you much more. Don't have so little faith! Don't worry and say, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' All the people that don't know God try to get these things. Don't worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need these things. The thing you should want most is God's kingdom and doing the good things God wants you to do. Then all these other things you need will be given to you. So don't worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries.
Matthew 6:25-34
RELATED SCRIPTURES:
Let all people see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. And God's peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. That peace which God gives is so great that we cannot understand it.
Philippians 4:5-7
So be humble under God's powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes. Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with the things you have. God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never run away from you." So we can feel sure and say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. People can do nothing to me."
Hebrews 13:5-6
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.
Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center.
All rights reserved.