Focus passage: Matt 6:25-32
We build our society on things that are not guaranteed. We want health, wealth, and happiness. From our early days, we often chase them only to find that we built a life of straw that can easily be blown away in a strong wind of change. Commercials promise that their pill or their financial knowledge can guarantee the life that we want. Yet we know that it may not work and so we get trapped in a cycle of worry. I admit to fighting worry all the time, but I also know that it helps to look to the things that the Lord guarantees in scripture. There are treasures that the Lord will bring to my life if I just keep my eye on Him. I am not free from worry, but it does help. Here are my four reasons to seek God instead of worrying so that you and I might have real happiness.
God can be trusted v. 25 The crowd stretched out on the hillside before Jesus was large and they lived in hard times. They hardly made what we would call a living wage today, but rather spent all they made on food, clothing, housing and taxes. Yet, Jesus’ message was to trust in the Lord. Keep close to the Lord and ask Him to provide what we need because God can take care of what we cannot manage. The world is uncertain, but God’s love is sure.
Worry hampers your valuable work today v. 26 Worry damages us as it takes away the time we have to help others or help ourselves. Worry can control us. It can dominate our feelings and rob us of the time that we need to do fruitful things. The wise man will do his work and trust the Lord for the things that he cannot control. He plans his day and tries to do the things that will make a difference, but doesn’t worry about the things that he can’t control. Such work gives us joy as we help others.
God cares for those who depend on Him v. 30 Sitting on a grassy hillside, Jesus may have gestured to the wild plants around them that are dependent on God for their future. Our focus should be on the Lord as well. Those who build a relationship with the Lord and depend on Him will have an abundance that others will miss. Christians have an ace in the hole that no non Christian can match. We have a Lord with bountiful resources and the power to change anything.
Worry keeps you from realizing your future v. 33 Simply put, worry wastes time. God has a future for each of us and He promises to take care of earthly needs like food and clothes so that we can live with joy and do ministry for others. God says “seek first” his stuff and let him take care of the rest. You will make a difference in others lives by the power of God instead of getting trapped in the stuff you have no control over. You will make your world better instead of always worrying about what happens next.
The cure for worry is to look upward. Jesus calls us to store up treasures in heaven as we trust our Lord. There are no guarantees here on earth. You can’t guarantee your health or your finances. All you can do is worry when things start to fall apart. You can only seek the Lord and the spiritual things that are guaranteed. Trust in the Lord and ask Him to care for the things in life that you cannot care for. Place yourself in His hands in the battle against worry.
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