Introductory Thoughts
Believers are commanded to “Be careful for nothing.” Contextually, the word careful means to be care full or full of cares. That being said, this is one of the most disobeyed commands in all of scripture. In Matthew 6:25, the Lord warned His disciples against dwelling upon or worrying about what they would eat, or drink, or how they would be clothed. The Lord’s rebuke implies that not even the necessities of life should serve as a source of worry for God’s people. It is important to note that worry and faith are at opposite ends of the spectrum because they do not and cannot coexist within the believer’s life and walk. A believer who is “careful” for things cannot and will not simultaneously trust God’s faithful provision. When a believer worries rather than trusting in God’s provision and protection, the believer’s actions deem God incapable to accomplish the matter without the individual contributing his “carefulness.”
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): God made all things (John 1:3), owns all things (Psalm 50:12), knows what we need (Matthew 6:32b), and is more than able to give it to us (Ephesians 3:20). For instance, consider His care for His children when they were in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:15-16; Deuteronomy 29:5).
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(For everyone): Why is it a sin to worry? What message does our worry send to the Lord? What is an alternate plan for worry (Philippians 4:6)?
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The absence of worry does not suggest the absence of effort on the part of man. It merely suggests a different foundation of hope. In whom does worry place its hope? In whom does faith place its hope?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask God to give you victory over the sin of being full of cares.
- Ask the Lord to show you when you are consumed by worry.
Song
‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS
