A Daily Devotion for Thursday, November 5
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.
These have been helpful verses for me through adulthood. However, as is true with many of the things we read and even internalize as children or young adults, the verses mean so much more to me now. Some verses seem to take a lifetime to sink in. In specific, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself,” is a lesson I continue to review, over and over. I have been working a lot on recognizing when I am thinking about things over which I have no control. When I am anxious, this is usually what is going on. Why do I have such a hard time trusting that God really is in control? No matter what, God is good, and He is in control. Whether we judge an outcome to be good or not good, God has a plan for it.
Holy Lord, help me to trust, and to continue to show your love and to shine your light. I still fall down so often. Forgive me, Lord. Amen
Becky, transforming
Pic of office, last day yesterday.
Matthew 6:25-34
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
I think a very important word in this verse is “first”. When I was working, my days would start with the alarm, a shower, a quick cup of coffee, maybe a bowl of cereal, pat the dog’s head then out the door thinking about the work day ahead during my ride in. Once at work, most days I was hitting the ground running. I have to wonder how different (in a good way) my working days would have been if I started my days in the Word, made it a priority, put God FIRST. It’s hard for me to believe that it took me nearly a life time …
Becky, I should have been clearer. It was Tom's small group and you and his daily devotions that have helped me and Barbara.
Dave
Becky, Congratulations on retirement - ot's a wonderful time of life.
I give credit to you and Tom for the path that I am on now. It started with Pastor Lee and your small group.
Thank you,
David MacDonald
Matthew 6:25-34
I could definitely relate to the post by the Upper Room contributor this morning. Yesterday was one of those rare days that kept me completely separated from my devotional time. I was busy with a difficult job from 6AM until 5:30 PM and then drove two hours back home with just enough energy to grab a bite and go to bed. The day was made more difficult given the absence of my usual quiet time routine, even though I was able to squeeze in some time for prayer. The specific Scripture passage was appropriate as well. I had spent too much time worrying about the day ahead and it was just as toxic as I imagined it would…