A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

TRUST IN THE LORD  

Matthew 6:1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”   

Matthew 23:5-7 records Jesus describing the behavior of the Pharisees. He said of them, “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.” He warned His disciples to not follow in the Pharisee’s footsteps.   

Jesus lived His earthly life in an entirely different manner than the Pharisees. He took a wash basin and towel and washed His disciples’ feet. He quietly changed water into wine at the wedding of Cana. He privately brought Jairus’ daughter back to life. Jesus never did what He did for show. His goal was to spread the love of God for sinners, not to make a name for Himself. His goal was Calvary’s cross where He would suffer and die in payment for the sins of all people. 

Jesus’ words are a warning to you to avoid doing good in order to receive personal recognition and accolades. In today’s devotional verse He sets the context for all of Matthew, chapter 6, that a disciple of His will live his earthly life totally dependent upon the loving care of Yahweh. A disciple will avoid trust in “self.” He will depend upon the grace of God, trusting Him through Jesus. A Christian disciple will trust God to sort out all the details of His life at the Parousia. He will recognize that he cannot earn God’s favor. He will never be able to sufficiently do good works to earn his way into heaven. His confidence will be in God’s promise, whoever believes in God’s Son will receive the gift of everlasting life.   

Prayer: Grant to me, O Lord, a faith that trusts in You no matter what I endure here on this earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Oh, for a faith that will not shrink
Tho’ pressed by many a foe;
That will not tremble on the brink
Of poverty or woe; 

That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chast’ning rod,
But in the hour of grief or pain
Can lean upon its God; 

A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That, when in danger, knows no fear,
In darkness fells no doubt; 

That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown
Nor heeds its scornful smile;
That sin’s wild ocean cannot drown
Nor Satan’s arts beguile; 

A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life’s last spark is fled
And with a pure and heavenly ray
Lights up the dying bed. 

Lord, give us such a faith s this;
And the, whate’er may come,
We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.  (TLH 396)