Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34
Wow, what realism from the very words of our Lord! For many, this would be an appropriate theme for recent months: each day has enough trouble of its own. And for many, this becomes the reality of life in general.
But as Jesus would have us to understand, there is something much more pertinent in the first part of His statement:
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:34)
Jesus has instructed us to avoid worrying about tomorrow. However, if honesty prevailed, most would admit to the undeniable difficulty in taking “one day at a time.”
Jesus has encouraged us not to become consumed with the unknowns of tomorrow. And, why? Today gives us enough over which to worry. And most would say, “amen.” But neither did Jesus intend that we keep our worries for today. His will for us is that we do not worry at all. So, let’s apply Jesus’ words.
First, the call away from worry is a call to prioritize the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
But above all pursue his kingdomand righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (New English Translation)
I believe that the direct opposite of worry is seeking first the Kingdom of God. When we seek His kingdom first, we acknowledge His ways for our lives, His direction for our character, His provisions for our needs, His fulfillment for our longings, His rule and reign as our ultimate authority, and His presence within us as our ultimate identity. When seeking first His Kingdom, our preoccupations with this world (all the distresses and worries, and all the challenges and temptations of this present age) quickly fade under the divine influence of the loving rule and reign of Jesus over our lives. And our confidence in “His Kingdom come,” represents confidence in His presence with us now. So, we avoid worry – especially worries about the uncertainties of tomorrow when we seek first His Kingdom.
Second, the call away from a life of worry emphasizes an ongoing trust in God concerning our daily needs. The practical applications of faith include trusting God for basic needs (represented here with the examples of food and clothing). To make these applications clear, Jesus offered a very practical observation followed by relevant questions. He has asked us to observe the birds of the air and the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:26, 28-29). The birds cannot establish food through sowing and reaping, and they cannot store food in barns for future provisions, yet every single bird has God’s full provision. The lilies cannot labor and “spin yarn” to make clothes, yet God has clothed them with beauty that would rival Solomon’s best and most expensive wardrobe. Jesus followed this observation with simple but thought-provoking questions of our own need for food and clothing: “are you not much more valuable than they (the birds)? If God clothes the lilies with such splendor, even though the lilies’ natural existence is very brief, will He not “much more clothe you?” These questions represent an argument from “lesser to greater,” and teaches two simple and irrevocable facts:
- God is “sovereign creator” (and thus is the perfect provider) to the birds and to the lilies of the field. For the follower of Jesus, God is not only sovereign creator, but “Father” (and thus ever more a perfect provider).
- God’s care as creator reveals the value of the birds and the lilies. How much more does God’s care as creator and “Father” show the value of His own. Your value!
So, the conclusion is, do not worry! And, implicit within these instructions against worry resides the message of grace sufficient for the moment. Therefore the birds and lilies are such great examples: they are cared for from one day to the next. And because God is our Father, through Jesus we have grace more than sufficient for the moment. Worries about tomorrow are not only counter to God’s Kingdom, but worries overlook the grace that is already present.
His grace and provisions are with you today in abundance. So, live by faith today. And, whatever you face tomorrow, His grace and provisions will be abundant then as well. So, do not worry about tomorrow!
Live in the fullness of His goodness today. And know that He has tomorrow covered as well.
Blessings.
READ
Read Matthew 6:25-34, and live in the reality of His grace and provisions.
