Matthew 6:25-34. This section of our Lord’s sermon on the mount resonates with God’s heart as revealed in the Old Testament. Jesus pleads with his disciples not to make the mistake that Israel did under the Mosaic covenant. The LORD promised the peace and wholeness and blessing if they simply followed the covenant they agreed to follow, seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness. But Israel looked around in fear at all their enemies, and sought a little extra insurance by appealing to the gods of the surrounding nations. They thought that two masters would be preferable to one (24).
Jesus pleads with his disciples not to make the same mistake. He warns them not to let anxiety steal the most important things in the world: their relationship with God and what he can do in their lives.
- Life is more than things (like food and clothing) that people are tempted to worry about (25).
- The birds do not worry, and our Father takes care of them. People are even more valuable to him than those birds (26).
- Worry does not accomplish anything positive. It cannot add a single hour to one’s life (27).
- The flowers and grass do not worry, and God clothes them with a glory surpassing that of king Solomon. People are even more important, since they are not temporary like the flora. They have the potential to be raised to eternal life (28-30).
- The Gentiles spend their time worrying about stupid things like food and clothing, because they don’t know any better (31-32).
Jesus had commanded his disciples to pray about the needs of one day: today (11). The minute a believer gets his mind off today and starts worrying about tomorrow, he has stopped seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness. He has stopped trusting in his heavenly Father.
LORD, we want to seek your kingdom and righteousness today, and trust you to take care of our needs today and tomorrow.
Devotions 