Devotional thoughts on the relentless pursuit of God

Monday, April 24, 2017

Be Not Anxious.

In the sermon on the mount we read,
     Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body more than the raiment? Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they (Matt 6:25-26).

Jesus goes on to show us that the world is caught up in the struggle for things. These things mentioned here are even necessary things such as food and clothing. Yet He assures us that our heavenly Father will take care of us.

So why is it that we often are consumed with anxiety over things such as these? Do we not believe Jesus when He tells us to focus on the kingdom of heaven, and God will provide these things for us?

We find in Paul's epistle to the Philippians the cure for anxiety.

     In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7).

Instead of worry, we are to take all of our cares and burdens to the Lord. The verse says everything. It is an act of faith to cast our needs and cares, with thanksgiving, upon Christ. But if we do so, releasing them to Him, we have the assurance of His peace filling our hearts and minds.