Matthew 6 - What Are You Worried About?
Verses of the Day
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Commentary
Chapter 6 has lots of great teaching from Jesus, as he continues His Sermon on the Mount. Jesus teaches about how when we pray or fast, or exercise some other spiritual discipline, we should not do it to get noticed. If that is our motivation, when someone compliments us, we have received our reward in full. But when we do these with the motivation to draw closer to the Father, our reward is found in our fellowship with Him.
Jesus also gives the disciples and us a model for prayer. Notice its simplicity. It covers all of the basics. Sometimes we think the longer we pray. the more holy it is. Or, that God will hear us more if we are really eloquent with our words. But the Lord teaches us to pray simply, boldly, and trusting in Him for everything we need.
I picked these verses for today, because I come from a long line of worriers. You might say I inherited the "worry gene". Our family motto was, "If you didn't have anything to worry about, then you should be worried about that!" It was always quite a sobering thought when preachers would say, "Worry is a sin". Though the bible doesn't specifically say this, it certainly infers it. When we worry it a sign of a lack of trust in God to provide for us. As Jesus taught in His prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread!"
Jesus ends chapter 6 with a verse we all would do well to remember. He says in effect if you put your focus on God and what He wants to do in and through your life, your worries will take care of themselves. When we seek first God's kingdom (the place where God is intersecting into our world through you) God gives us everything we need. Note not just what we want, but what we need.
God is not against giving us good things. He delights in giving good gifts to His children. But, He also wants to grow our faith by not giving us everything we want, when we want it. This is the same as a good parent who doesn't give in to their kids every time they want something. It's hard not to, because you love your kids so much. But you soon realize that if you give something every time they ask, your kids will become spoiled and entitled.
In A.A. and other 12 step programs, there is a lot of emphasis on just living for today. All an addict has to do is not drink or do drugs that day. Alcoholics get into trouble when they start thinking they won't be able to drink for the rest of their lives, which is why the program uses the term "just for today".
If you are a "worry-aholic" you might want to apply the same principle. Friends, we can't change the past, we can't control the future, but we can live and trust in God today!
Application for the Day
What are you worried about? What is the likelihood of it happening? Can you change anything by worrying about it? Where do you need to trust God with this worry? Instead of worrying. how can you seek God's kingdom in your life realizing that when you do this God will provide everything you NEED!
Prayer of the Day
Jesus, when I am tempted to worry about not having enough, help me to seek you first, realizing that you provide everything I need. Help me to remember that you have always been faithful to me, and you won't stop now. Help me to replace my fear and anxiety with your presence. Thank you for always being there for me and always keeping Your promises! Amen.
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