DEVOTION – DAY 488

Matthew 6:26-27 “Do Not Worry”

Matthew 6:26-27 “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?”

These verses form part of Jesus’ sermon on the Mount. In the passage from Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus taught that God, the Father knows what we need and He will provide. We should not worry about how we will secure funds needed to put food on the table, or essentials like a roof over our head or basic clothing. In vv26-27, Jesus taught that God feeds the birds, and that God values us more than birds. So, we should not be anxious about our basic needs. Instead, we should be focused on what is more important. In v33, Jesus tells us to seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Jesus also reminded us about the futility of worrying. All of us cannot control what goes on in our lives. Worrying cannot add a single hour to our lives so, it is better to trust God instead, and focus on what is truly important. To stay close to God, obey Him, and to submit to Him. 

Although these verses are truth and straightforward, many people find it hard to follow. We have used this passage to encourage many people we have the privilege of discipling, to get their focus right. But we see many people struggle with this passage. Many still become drawn into the worldly pursuit of career, material possessions, and money as their main goal and purpose in life, thinking that when they achieve these goals, they would be satisfied. An extreme example is a lady called Jamie Chua, a wealthy socialite living in Singapore. She lives in a huge apartment. She combined some bedrooms into a high security and air-conditioned closet to store her prized handbag collection, jewelry and designer clothes. Her handbags have become her obsession and idol. Instead of being satisfied, she is fearful of security that her handbag collection could be stolen. 

But we also know someone who opted for early retirement and chose to leave the comfort and security of Singapore to work as a missionary in Uganda. She has learnt to focus on seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness first. She has been depending on God to provide for all her basic needs, mission funds and donations to run the Christian orphanage and school she had been tasked to manage. Her work gives her joy and the knowledge that she is making an impact in the lives of a new generation of Ugandan children.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us to seek first your Kingdom and your righteousness. Thank you for providing for our needs. Please help us not to focus on the things of this world and to always keep our eyes on the Lord Jesus. We pray in the gracious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What is your focus in life? Is it money, wealth, career and position or are you seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness?
  2. What are you worried about? Share.
  3. What does seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness mean to you? Discuss.
  4. Why should seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness be your priority? Discuss.