25“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?26Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?27Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?28“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,29yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.30And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’32These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
We think the message is don’t worry, and it obviously is, but it is more than that. This should be one of those things that distinguishes followers of Jesus from the rest of the world. Read verse 33 again: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” We are called not just to not worry, but to not worry because we have a different focus.
I have recently failed at this myself. A certain area of my life was being severely tested and I fell into worry instead of faith. When others asked me about it, it was chance to smile and tell them why I could smile: the creator of the universe was in control of my life. But instead I told them about my problems and my sleepless nights. I sinned. I was wrong. I did not bring the Lord glory. I didn’t lead people to want to follow the same Jesus I was supposedly following.
Lord, help me to remember this lesson. Help me to learn it from Your word above, and from my failure. Change me and help me to be a beacon of hope for others by showing faith in You. Help me to remember that when the way is very dark, even a small candle can lead many people. Beginner’s Online Bible Study *obbs*
Dan, I love what you wrote “Help me to remember that when the way is very dark, even a small candle can lead many people.” Those words are full of wisdom and have such insight in them. As I face my trials, I will be thinking of that small lit candle, and move forward in faith, hope, and His love…..
Dan, I love what you wrote – “Help me to remember that when the way is very dark, even a small candle can lead many people.” That one sentence speaks such wisdom, there is such insight in those words… As I face trials, I will be thinking about the small lit candle and move forward in faith and hope and in His love.