DATE WRITTEN: Sunday, 2021-01-17
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Matthew 6:31-33
TRANSLATION: Good News Translation (GNT)

BIBLE TEXT: ³¹ “So do not start worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?’ ³² (These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. ³³ Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things. 

OBSERVATION: We are reminded of words often used in our society today: ‘Don’t worry, God will take care of you’. However, let us meditate on this Scripture and make sure that we do not take the last few words of verse 33 out of context, without the relationship and obedience parts by the believer.

APPLICATION: Jesus chose to teach His disciples, and us, the importance of not worrying, and also the comfort of knowing that our Heavenly Father will provide for those who place their trust in Him, seek after Kingdom things and are obedient to the the teachings of our Lord Jesus. Is this help available to everyone? Of course it is. However, some have simply declined the offer of Jesus Christ and have chosen to handle life on their own. I believe that our Lord is a perfect gentleman and will honor the request of those who push Him away and decline His invitation. Therefore, I believe that telling these very independent people not to worry because God will take care of them, may not meet with warm acceptance. For those who have accepted Jesus as Lord, I believe that we are loved, and teachable by the Holy Spirit and through the words of God in His special book – The Bible. Telling them not to worry because God will take care of them, acts as a great reminder that their Creator has not forgotten them, and that in His Book, He promised that He would never forsake them or leave them alone. The reminder will be of tremendous encouragement to them. In our verses today, Jesus taught us not to be like the unsaved and worry about such things as food, drink or clothing, for our Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need. Instead we should be concentrating on the Kingdom of God – His work among the unsaved; His plan through His servants; His will for the world; etc, and take heed to all that God requires of us. This Scripture made me think of other Scripture from the Word that says we are to clothe ourselves in the righteousness of Jesus Christ – in other words, learn, obey and apply the teachings of Jesus Christ in such a way that we could easily be mistaken for Jesus. Unfortunately we all tend to worry – some more than others! But of what help is worry when you’re sick? It probably deteriorates your health even more with the added stress of worry. Of what help is worry when you are financially burdened? It probably worsens the situation, because you can’t think straight, or positively about anything due to mind-blocks caused by worry. In 1 Peter 5:2 we are reminded that God knows exactly where we are and what we are going through. In fact, He knows us by name! In Psalm 139 we are reminded that God searched us out, and He knows us by name. In Matthew 10:39 God told us that He knows even the number of hairs on our head, so I know that there is no reason to worry, for I know that He’s got this! Lord, we may be small and insignificant here on earth, but having You as our Lord and Savior makes us the greatest and most blessed people on earth. There is no need to worry, for to be absent from this world because of earthly challenges that may come our way, is to be present with the Lord. There is nothing any better than that. Praise You God for Your assurance of love and eternal security!

PRAYER: For the amazing hope that lies ahead for the child of God, I give You thanks oh God! For the love of our Savior who cared enough to allow a criminal death on a cross, so that my Brothers and Sisters in Christ and I could know that our sins have been forgiven and we are destined for a glorious heaven with the Father and His precious Son, I say thank You Heavenly Father. There is no need to worry because of whose we are! Thank You Jesus for loving us and caring enough for us that we could enjoy the peace and foreknowledge of knowing that we are children of the King awaiting a time very shortly when we could see You face to face and bow at Your feet in worship and thanksgiving for all eternity. Lord, please soften the hearts of those who have chosen to stand in their own strength, without hope, and destined for an awful time in Hell with Satan and his demons. Please encourage them to surrender their lives to You before it is eternally too late. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!