Devotionals for March 2, 2023
Join us for Theology Thursdays at 12:00pm today! Bring your lunch when you come.
READ
Matthew 6:26-33
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you
REFLECT
Telling an anxious person "do not be anxious" ranks at the top of the list of most unhelpful statements, but in this passage, it is God speaking. There is something radically different about what Jesus is saying in this passage versus the usual "advice" we get from a friend to "not worry so much." Jesus is telling us that our anxieties, at the root, reflect our beliefs. Anxiety, in this passage, can be defined as the anxious *planning of our life to work*. When we become master strategists for our own survival, moving the chess pieces of life to bring about a positive outcome, Jesus becomes nothing more than an ingredient to *our* dream for our lives. Notice that Jesus does not condemn the outcome itself. He does not say, "you should not *want* to be clothed," instead, He promises to clothe us (v.30). Imagine a man pulling out a ring box, and as he drops to one knee to propose to his girlfriend, she rips the box out of his hand to inspect it and make sure that the ring inside it is to her liking. Her doing this would likely ruin the proposal entirely, even though she is still receiving the same gift (a ring, and proposal to marriage). How often do we anxiously pursue gifts that God is wanting us to let Him give?
APPLY
Q: Why does Jesus mention the birds and the grass of the field in this passage about anxiety?
Q: What are some areas of your life that you have not surrendered control to God?
Q: Is there anyone in your life who you are regularly manipulating to coincide with your desired outcomes? How can you repent of this action?
SING
“You Hold it All Together” by Maverick City Music x UPPERROOM
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Lord, forgive our unbelief in your provision. Help us to trust in you, believing that you will take care of us. Help us to rest in your love. Let us to wait on you, instead of jumping the gun and trying to make it happen for ourselves. Thank you for your immense love for us, and desire to bless us in every way. We love you, Amen.
READ
Matthew 6:26-33
26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you
REFLECT
Telling an anxious person "do not be anxious" ranks at the top of the list of most unhelpful statements, but in this passage, it is God speaking. There is something radically different about what Jesus is saying in this passage versus the usual "advice" we get from a friend to "not worry so much." Jesus is telling us that our anxieties, at the root, reflect our beliefs. Anxiety, in this passage, can be defined as the anxious *planning of our life to work*. When we become master strategists for our own survival, moving the chess pieces of life to bring about a positive outcome, Jesus becomes nothing more than an ingredient to *our* dream for our lives. Notice that Jesus does not condemn the outcome itself. He does not say, "you should not *want* to be clothed," instead, He promises to clothe us (v.30). Imagine a man pulling out a ring box, and as he drops to one knee to propose to his girlfriend, she rips the box out of his hand to inspect it and make sure that the ring inside it is to her liking. Her doing this would likely ruin the proposal entirely, even though she is still receiving the same gift (a ring, and proposal to marriage). How often do we anxiously pursue gifts that God is wanting us to let Him give?
APPLY
Q: Why does Jesus mention the birds and the grass of the field in this passage about anxiety?
Q: What are some areas of your life that you have not surrendered control to God?
Q: Is there anyone in your life who you are regularly manipulating to coincide with your desired outcomes? How can you repent of this action?
SING
“You Hold it All Together” by Maverick City Music x UPPERROOM
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Lord, forgive our unbelief in your provision. Help us to trust in you, believing that you will take care of us. Help us to rest in your love. Let us to wait on you, instead of jumping the gun and trying to make it happen for ourselves. Thank you for your immense love for us, and desire to bless us in every way. We love you, Amen.