Scripture:
Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV
[25] “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? [27] Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? [28] “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; [29] and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? [31] “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. [33] But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Observation:
I woke up this morning at about 3:45 with this scripture on my mind. It was verse 33 that seemed to rung in my ears. But as I have always said, it’s always important to look at the context that something is written so that it’s not used in a way that it should not be used. I have seen pastors and preachers take things out of context and mislead people. Now whether or not they knew that’s what they were doing is not sure, and honestly that’s not my focus. I just want to know what the LORD is saying to me. Matthew chapter 6 is tucked away right in the middle of what is commonly known as the sermon on the Mount. As Jesus saw a multitude of people gathered around, HE went up on a mountain so HIS voice would carry. Starting with what’s called the B-attitudes HE begins to teach them. Several topics are covered including the fact that HE is the fulfillment of the law, the condition of our heart’s, the sacred stature of marriage, how important it is to do what you say you will, going above and beyond, loving your enemies, storing up treasures in heaven and several more. It was an opportunity to pour into them and HE took clear advantage of it. To be honest as I was looking over the topics that HE taught about a desire started to rise up in me to stop and begin to teach on several of them. There is so much important information in the Bible it’s hard to just zero in on one thing. As I came to where I believe the Holy Spirit brought us to today, I see that this particular portion of scripture begins with the word therefore, and I have always been taught that if you see the word “therefore” you have to find out what it’s there for. You can generally do that by backing up a few verses. As we do that, it’s pretty easy to see the topic that is being covered. It’s not just who to serve but what. Verses 24 of chapter 6 is the key to what Jesus is speaking about in the remaining verses in that chapter. You can’t serve GOD and money. It will never work. You will love one and hate the other or you will be more devoted to one over the other and it will become a reason to worry. So as we begin to dive into what the LORD wants to tell us today let’s keep in mind exactly what worry does. As HE begins to cover the topic of worry referring to what HE just said opens up our eyes. To what we are serving when we are worried about one thing or another. HE says, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life.” Now I know that’s easier said than done, and I’m sure those listening probably had to take a deep breath when they heard that. But it needed to be said. Bringing that into focus is important. Looking at exactly what HE was saying. It’s all the things we get caught up in. The hustle and stress of life. What you will eat, drink, and wear. HE wanted to open their eyes to exactly who GOD is and what HE taught them in the wilderness over a 40 year period of time, HE is a good Father who knows your needs before you do, and will not let those who trust HIM go without, HE had to bring that picture to them so as HE painted this seen of birds that don’t gather and store, what HE is saying is they are focused on the wrong thing. The importance of what HE is teaching them is found at not only the end of verse 26, but also in verse 27, your value is greater than the birds, and the life you are trying to preserve by stressing is actually out of your control. You did not add anything but stress and anxiety. Moving this topic forward HE feels the need to drive this topic home, “Look at the lilies of the field, how they grow. HE knew that the growth of the experience came from only one place their splendor and beauty came from one place, the way the Father clothed them was astonishing and they are here for only a moment and then gone, knowing that and trusting that the value man holds is far greater than the lilies should open our hearts to trust GOD is going to not only provide all our needs, but take care of us in a fashion that will bring HIM substantially more glory than they do. What is truly being taught in this portion of scripture begins to come into our sight in verse 30, and to be more specific it’s the last word in that verse. The question Christ is bringing out is where is your faith? As we begin to bring this observation to a close we have to again look at what the therefore is therefore, all the stuff HE just said and the way the people were caught up in the hustle and stress of gathering and storing was a problem. It was stealing their focus from the one who knew them and their needs. That brings us to the cornerstone of this portion of scripture. Who and what was being sought. Jesus Christ was redirecting their focus. Look to GOD and nothing else, that is the key, HE is a jealous GOD. and when all these other things are getting in the way of their devotion to HIM it was a problem. HE wanted them to stay present in the moment, knowing that they were exactly where they needed to be to shape the character HE desired for them.
Application:
It’s so easy to think we have to get it done, putting our trust in our own ability and forgetting the one who knows us better than we know ourselves. I know this because I do it often. Thinking if I don’t get it done it just won’t happen. Now here is what I’m saying. When we are trusting in our ability to do what GOD has already done we will be stressed out and full of anxiety. That does nothing good for anyone. Knowing that HE sees all your needs and what needs to happen allows us to maintain a focus on HIM that brings about the ability to walk on water. When we worry it tells HIM we don’t trust HIM. It’s like that double minded person James talks about. HE either has you or HE doesn’t and if HE doesn’t then everything HE just told us in these scriptures are a lie, and we know the only thing GOD can’t do is lie. Now listen I know how hard it is. As we look at what we can see, the pressure to do something gets overwhelming, but GOD sees our needs. Nothing escapes HIS sight. We are HIS children, HE is our Father, every need we have will be met according to HIS riches and glory. Getting all stressed out over what HE already knows we need is worthless, and only shortens our life. HIS desire is for us to have abundant life, that only happens when we trust in HIM, and not our ability, it’s the cornerstone of the gospel. HE has done what we cannot do. It goes back to the statement HE made at the burning bush, when Moses asked, “who should I say sent me… “I AM” sent you. “I AM everything you need. That’s all we need to know seeking after a Father who knows our needs and staying focused on HIM instead of all the things we think we need will allow HIM to provide for us in a way that we could never imagine. We cant help HIM we just have to trust HIM and HE will do what only HE can do. Seeking after HIS face releases HIS hand. All I want is to be found in HIS presence. Sitting next to HIS feet soaking up everything I can. I honestly feel like HE is all I have. Everything good that is in my life is a result of what HE has done, and everything bad in my life is a result of me trying to control things in my own ability. HE know my needs and will not leave me begging bread, HE is for us and if we rest on that the provisions are right there in HIS hands. They will be there right on time.
Prayer:
Father, you are so much greater than we could ever wrap our minds around. It’s hard for us to physically see how great you truly are. But as you have taught the Israelites to trust you as you provided all their needs, that’s the very same thing you are teaching us. As we trust you in faith you will always take care of all of our needs. We know that nothing goes unnoticed with you. You just won’t leave us. When you are silent it’s not because you are not there, it’s because you are seeing how much we trust you. If we truly trust you we will not worry. Father, I have to tell you it’s not easy. The pressures of life tell us we need to act, and in some ways it’s right, but our actions should be to seek you, but instead we start chasing after this life and trying to do what only you can do. Today we just want to thank you. We don’t want to seek after your provision, we want to seek after your face. We want to know you more, your heart is for us. Let us seek you above all else. Its in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.