A Daily Devotion for Monday, September 28
Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.“
Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
I have never noticed this verse from Isaiah. This concept of checking-in is a great reminder for me. I have developed a better habit of being intentionally thankful when I experience God’s joy. But I still struggle with stopping to listen for His guidance as a habit. This would really help me to stay on a good path throughout the day.
Holy Lord, I will begin to regularly listen for your voice saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” I know you are with me always and will show me the way. I long to grow closer and closer to you. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 6:25-34. Isaiah 30:21. Checking In
Isaiah reminds us to listen. If we do this, we will hear His voice and know He is with us. I know on my busy days, I don’t listen. I tell myself I don’t have time. What have I missed? Possibly something I really needed to hear. The “ checking in” today’s author speaks about is important. It’s quick and easy. “Just checking in God. I hope I’m on the right track-or please guide me today for I am overwhelmed.” I believe He needs to hear from us as much as we need to hear from him.
Prayer: Gracious God, I know we are in touch often, but there is room for improvement o…
Matthew 6:25-34 / Isaiah 30:21
The Upper Room writer’s story reminded me of a training class we attended with our beloved dog, Ginger. One of the exercises was to go from the trainer to the owner, about 30 feet. Sounds simple, but the 30 feet was peppered with dog treats! The objective was to get your dog to come directly to you, forgo the treats and trust that you will have all that they need. Sound familiar?
Dear God, please help me to go past my worries and go straight to You. I know that You have all that I need. Amen.
Matthew 6:25-34/Isaiah 30:21
As familiar as the Matthew passage is, I, like Becky, feel like I am seeing the Isaiah verse for the first time. The illustration of the puppy learning to check in is quite relatable. My tendency is not necessarily to be distracted, but there can also be problems in being too laser focused on the path that may not be the best or is outside of God’s will. I can convince myself I am doing the right thing, but jumping in and doggedly keeping at it without checking in with God before, during and after can have unintended consequences to which I was blind. God’s wisdom, guidance and mercy, infinitely greater and superior to mine can bring…