LUKE 12:28-32 – But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
THEME OF THE DAY. DOING BATTLE AGAINST THE SIN OF WORRY. It is something all of us do. Some more than others, but it is a real part of our sinful nature. It is the sin of worry. Yes, sin. Worry is sin. I know that may awaken us like the jolt of a cold wash cloth in the face after a night’s sleep but worry over whoever or whatever is sin. It is the fruit of the sin of doubt. Worry sends a message to heaven of doubt of God’s love, doubt of His promises to provide for us, and is a slanderous attack of His character. Since the sin of worry is so serious, Christians must resolve to do battle against it daily, or for some of us who are prone to worry, constantly. And help is on the way in today’s scripture!
First, don’t let the devil or our own reasoning convince us the presence of worry in our lives means we are not Christians or in the faith. This false logic goes like this, “If I had true faith in God, I would trust Him without worry. If I say I am trusting Him for my eternal salvation but worry of the daily affairs of my temporal life, then I must not be a Christian.” Not true. No Christian walks in perfect assurance and confidence this side of heaven. Jesus confirms for us that the presence of doubt does not mean the absence of faith. Who does He address in today’s scripture? Not those of no faith, but He says, “O you of little faith.” Be encouraged when we worry, not in the worry, but in the truth that it does not make us unbelievers.
Next, remember who God is to us. We are not coming to and relying on a detached and disinterested Deity. We are placing our trust in the Creator of all things, the Sustainer of all things, and who has enabled us to call Him, “Father.” Ponder these worry-releasing words of Jesus concerning the needs we have in life – “Your Father knows that you need them. Fear not, little flock for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Think through this with me. If God has become our heavenly Father and has already given us the security of being in His heavenly kingdom where worry is non-existent, is it not just simple reason to conclude He would also provide for what we need in this passing world? Don’t let the irrational nature of the sin of worry prevent us from rationally thinking of who God is to us and what He has promised us.
Worry is serious but worry is also, like all sin, able to be defeated in the Christian life. Use the truths of our Lord Jesus and the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father to drive away the heavy clouds of worry when they seek to gather over our hearts.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for both Your promise and love to provide for my very needs.’”
QUOTE: “Fretting is human, but it is also sin. It questions the loving care of our Heavenly Father.”