Therefore, Do Not Worry…

 

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.—Matthew 6:34

I can remember my “Nana” using this verse often.  Now, I was not a worrier as a child, but sadly, I have since learned the art. So when my Nana would remind someone (usually my mom) that “sufficient for the day is it’s own trouble”, I would always ask her (with all the innocence of a well taken care of protected child), 

“but Nana what trouble do we have to worry about today?” 

Worrying was just not on my radar. Oh, to have that kind of innocence once again!  

Now, I know for a fact that worrying about tomorrow doesn’t improve today or help my day be better tomorrow. It does, however, (and this is guaranteed) rob me of my joy today. It also distracts me from the present moment which means I am not really fully in the present and I can’t be in tomorrow because tomorrow has not yet arrived. 

Where do I go to stop the madness? As Isaiah says in his book, to the Law and to the testimony!  So in the madness and sin of worry I go to the Word of God. Conveniently, the verses directly before verse 34 have the answer.

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?

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.—Matthew 6:30-33

O you of little faith?  (Vs 30)

Worry is sin. I need to trust God to meet my needs. 

The Lord is my Shepherd…in Him I have everything I need. 

For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (Vs 32)

I need to trust that God cares about me. I am on his radar. His steadfast love (covenant lovingkindness) toward me never ceases. 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Vs 33)

Beloved…this one is the most important. If you have this one down, the others fall into place. Give God the pre-eminence in your life. By faith seek His will first and then trust Him to meet your every need.

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;

In the morning I will direct it to You,

And I will look up.—Psalm 5:3

Warren Wiersbe says that “and I will look up” conveys the idea of waiting expectantly for God to come and bless. I love that!  So today instead of giving in to the madness of worry, let’s bring our concerns and cares to Him. Let’s direct our voices to Him in the morning and then look up in expectation and in thanksgiving knowing that He is faithful. Let’s honor and glorify Him with our faith.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

by Thomas Chisholm

1 Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,

there is no shadow of turning with thee.

Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;

as thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:

Great is thy faithfulness!

Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

all I have needed thy hand hath provided.

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

sun, moon, and stars in their courses above

join with all nature in manifold witness

to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. [Refrain]

3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! [Refrain]