LEARNING DAILY

 

Matthew 6:25, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food and your body more than clothing?”   Jesus

 

In the last page of the blog, we examined what Jesus said about worldliness and mammon (Matthew 6:19-24).  Today we want to examine Verses 25-34 where Jesus talked about worrying over what we have or do not have.  I find the timing of this verse in our study of the Sermon on the Mount interesting.  There are many who are certainly concerned about where life is headed after the past presidential election.  There are many voices offering different scenarios regarding people’s savings, retirement accounts, and the future of “things”.  Here is the subtlety of Satan and sin.  He wants nothing more than to get us to worry about earthly things and to get our mind off God.  He wants to cause anxiety about our life, our health, our strength, our clothing, our success, and everything that “could” happen to us.

 

This is what Martin Lloyd-Jones wrote about this.  “Life is a gift, a gift from God.  Man does not create life: man does not give being to himself.  Not one of us decided to come into this world.  The fact that we are alive at this moment is entirely because God willed it and decided it.  If God gave you life, do you think He is suddenly going to deny Himself and His methods, and not see to it that life is sustained and able to continue?  God has His own way of doing that and the argument is that we never need to become anxious about it.  Of course, we are doing things that God has ordained us to do like sowing and reaping, earning money and so on.  But He says that we are never to be concerned or worried or anxious that suddenly there will be insufficient ability to keep our life going.  If God has given us the gift of life, He will see to it that life is kept going.  He is not saying how this will be done; He is saying that it will be done.  The Giver of Life will see that the sustenance and supply of life will be provided.  That is what God does for the birds of the air.  He provides the food; they just have to find it.  God will provide the means by which our body will be covered and clothed.  It is a gift from God.  How often do you thank God for the gift of life itself?  There really should never be a day when we fail to thank God for the gift of life and food and existence He gives us.”

 

I enjoy putting bird seed out for the birds.  I have even started getting seed that the squirrels will not eat.  But, I would never provide for them and not provide for my children or grandchildren.  Neither would God.  We must always remember as children of God through Jesus Christ, God is our Father and He will provide for us.  When we decide that, our anxiety and worry go away.

 

Matthew 6:27 asks a key question.  “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”  A cubit is about eighteen inches long.  The Lord is asking those who are so worried about their bodily needs and their desire to extend their life if they are able to do so by even a few moments.  Obviously, the answer is no!  God determines such things.  Our lives are in God’s hand and we do what we can and trust Him. Why worry about that which we cannot control?

 

Does this mean we do not make plans for our future physical needs?  Not at all.  It is wise to make provision for events of life that will take place because of age or the unknown.  Jesus is saying not to be anxious or worry about such things because it shows a lack of faith in God’s fatherly care and love.  1 Peter 5:7 tells us, “casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”  God’s love for us is a truth emphasized throughout the Bible.  All our fears, anxieties, and concerns must be given to God.

 

 

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