"I Got No Worries!"

"Today's Devotion" For September 2, 2005

Read: Matthew 6:25-34; Psalm 37

"I GOT NO WORRIES"

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Mt. 6:34)

Living from paycheck to paycheck is a common life experience for millions of families in our country. Around the world, millions of people don't even have the luxury of a paycheck. For so many people in other parts of the world, even a "soup kitchen" would be considered a luxury item. In at least 80% of the rest of the world even the poorest people living on the streets of our cities would be considered wealthy, especially in the Third World, where anxiety and worry about food, clothing, shelter, and the basic necessities of life can be very prominent in those societies. All this being said, isn’t it also obvious that even those who are well-off, no matter in what part of the world they might live, are not immune to feelings of anxiety and want? Having a lot of things and a lot of money doesn't necessarily bring contentment into a person's life. It's been said that a great many materially wealthy people either feel they don't have enough as yet or they find themselves with no idea of what to do with what they have.

As God's redeemed children in Jesus Christ we believe in His promises to bless us with every good thing and meet all our needs. At the same time, we're also not immune from worry and anxiety. Much as we'd like to believe that we truly trust the Lord to provide for our every need, all too often we find ourselves anxious about the necessities of life because we've lost sight of what's necessary and what's not. It's not uncommon for us to lose sight of what is the most vital part of life and living - a loving and forgiven relationship with our Heavenly Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians we still get caught up in trying to live life the same way everyone else is and in the process turn our hearts and eyes away from Jesus. We end up trapped in the temptations of sin, particularly the sin of worry. When this happens, the kingdom of God and His righteousness disappear from the "radar screen" of faith.

The folks "Down Under" in Australia have a saying that might have been written for God's people. The folks of Australia, when they want to communicate that something is important, having a saying which goes: "No worries, Mate!" It's their way of saying that something isn't important. That it's a "no sweat" proposition; that instead of getting into a "dither" we should stay calm and collected. "No worries, Mate!" reflects a very laid back attitude. Our Lord Jesus Christ is letting us know in no uncertain terms that when we focus on His grace, mercy, and love, we will continue to "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (v. 33). "No worries, Mate!" keeps our eyes focused on Jesus so that we might trust that our Lord’s promises have made us His very own. We are confident, in Christ, that God will meet our every need according to His great love, grace, and mercy. Jesus assures us of this when He reminds us that He even saves the sparrow who doesn't fall to the ground without God being present.

When we focus on the grace, mercy, and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, who went to the Cross for our sins and who is telling us that when we focus on His grace, mercy, and love, seeking "first the kingdom of God and His righteousness"(v.33), we will be able to say, "No worries, Mate!" When we focus our hearts and eyes on Him and trust His promises to provide for our every need, we begin to realize that we are, just as Jesus said, more valuable to our God than the birds of the air or the lilies of the field. We rejoice that God sent His son to suffer and die on the Cross so that we might be redeemed from Sin, death and Satan. In Hs willingness, in love, to do such an incomprehensible act, we can be certain that we need have "no worries" as we live each day in Jesus, for Jesus, and with Jesus in joy and peace.

Prayer: Father, it's really very easy for me to worry about money and other things so that I forget that You give me everything I need. That's what You've promised to me. Help me to faithfully hold onto that promise and trust that You will provide every one of my needs. I pray that You would help me to see that my greatest need is for the forgiveness of my sins and salvation which brings hope to a lost and fallen world order. You have faithfully and lovingly given me that huge gift. Help me to trust You for the little things as well. Hear me, Father, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2003 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.