A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW     

GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED  

Matthew 6:31-32 “ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”  

In today’s devotional verses Jesus continued His discourse about worry. Instead of worrying, Jesus exhorts you to be assured that “your heavenly Father knows” what you need.   

For example, take Elijah. Elijah was certain the Children of Israel would put him to death if he delivered God’s prophesy to them. God, on the other hand, knew that was not true. After delivering God’s prophesy, God led Him out into the wilderness to a brook and fed him daily using a bird of the air to bring him his sustenance. Due to the drought God sent, the brook dried up, but God sent him to be fed miraculously by a widow.   

Jesus says worrying is for unbelievers. They put their faith and trust in this world and the things of this world. When these are gone, they have nothing left in which to trust. To you, however, who believe and trust in Him, Jesus says, God knows exactly what is happening in your life. There is no need for you to present a shopping list to Him. However, He does invite you to pray to Him, “Thy will be done.” 

John wrote in 1 John 3:20 “. . . God knows all things. . .” Isaiah wrote, “God knows the end from the beginning.”(Isaiah 46:10) Jesus taught “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Luke 12:7) What is there to worry about? God not only created the world but also remains in charge of it.  Luke 12:7 says that “a sparrow cannot fall from the sky without God knowing.” How humbling to think that the sparrow, so little thought of by human beings, God cares for its very existence. Remember, you are His greatest creation. If He is for you, then nothing can be against you. (Romans 8:28,31-39) 

Prayer: Grant me faith, dear Heavenly Father, to rely upon and trust in You to provide all that I need to support my body, life, soul, and spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

For the fruits of His creation, Thanks be to God.  
For His gifts to ev’ry nation, Thanks be to God  
For the plowing, sowing, reaping,   
Silent growth while we a4e sleeping,  
Future needs in earth’s safe keeping, Thanks be to God. 

In the just reward of labor, God’s will is done.  
In the help we give our neighbor, God’s will is done.  
In our world-wide task of caring  
For the hungry and despairing;  
In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done. 

For the harvests of the Spirit, Thanks be to God.  
For the good we all inherit, Thanks be to God.  
For the wonders that astound us,  
For the truths that still confound us,  
Most of all, that love has found us, Thanks be to God.

For the Fruits of His Creation - LSB 894