[Daily Devotion] November 18th, 2016

[Daily Devotion] November 18th, 2016

Luke 12: 22 – 31 Two Semis and A Dump Truck

Do Not Worry

22 He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

What does the Passage say?

V. 22 – 26 Jesus tells his followers not to worry. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life” (v. 22 NIV). He shows the birds, as an example, on how God feeds and protects them. Also by asking, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?” (v. 25 NIV), adds the reason not to worry. 

V. 27-29 He then gives an example of the wildflowers. Once more he says, “And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it” (V. 29 NIV). He says that worrying about life is what the pagans do. He is calling us to have more faith. 

What does this Passage say to me/ us?

Last Sunday, after the service, many people came up to me and stated that they were chronic ‘worriers.’ I don’t blame anyone for saying they are ‘worriers.’ Look around the world, how can we not worry? What we see in the world, also through the news, is filled with stories that can add to the worry. 
 
However, Jesus is calling his followers to be ‘Warriors’ not ‘worriers.’ He asks us to focus on God’s mission, instead of our own mission. He calls us for God’s kingdom, not the kingdom on earth. He says, “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (v. 31 NIV). What if the reason of our worries is not because of the world, but because that we do not seek the kingdom? He promises us, when we seek the kingdom, God will provide. 
 
Prayer

Lord, help us to focus on your kingdom. When we fix our eyes on you, help us to see how you are the true provider. 

In your name, Jesus Christ, we pray,  AMEN

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