Discipleship Point
Matthew 6:25-33
Do Not Worry
25 “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? 26 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 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? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Where is your focus? Family, career, goals, maybe retirement? Our Father knows what we need and when we need it – with every area of concern. As disciples, we seek to put our hearts in position to be productive with the Lord. Good ways to do so include spending time with Jesus (abiding – John 15:5), praying through worry since it chokes out the work of God’s Word in our lives (Matthew 13:22), and to not fear those who may think less of me because of the way I live or the decisions that I make (Matthew 13:21).
John 15:5
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Matthew 13:22
22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Matthew 13:21
21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
Journal Prompt:
What are you currently anxious or fearful about?
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 32:8-11
- I will instruct you and teach you
in the way you should go;
I will counsel you
with my loving eye on you. - Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled
by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you. - Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him. - Rejoice in the LORD
and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Teaching or Command of God:
Psalm 105:2
- Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
Psalm 112:4
- Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious
and compassionate and righteous.
Pondering Point
Can you hear this hymn in your mind, Rejoice Ye pure in heart (LSB #813) or its variant title, Rejoice O Pilgrim Throng? It draws from Psalm 32:11:
Psalm 32:11
- Rejoice Ye pure in heart! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
Your festal banner wave on high the cross of Christ your King
Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.