A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW     

JESUS SAYS NOT TO WORRY  

Matthew 6:25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 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?” 

Worry, anxiety and stress at least occasionally affect the vast majority of women and men in the United States. Anxiety and stress were a serious mental health issue for up to 3% of Americans in 2023. It is reported that as many as one out of eleven children experience significant anxiety. During the covid outbreak the per centage of Americans afflicted by worry, anxiety and stress was greater than normal.  

Money is another of the major issues people worry about. Included in this category are financial security, debt, paying for college, investing for retirement and for retirees will their money run out before they die. For those in the work force job security heads the list of worries. At most all ages health care and its cost are of significant concern.   

In today’s devotional verses Jesus asks, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” He directs you to look at the birds in nature. He says, “ . . . they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”   

The Children of Israel during their forty years in the wilderness had many episodes of worry and panic over what they perceived as lack of food and water. God fed them faithfully for all forty years and even produced water from solid rock. In the storm on the sea when His disciples cried out for help in their fear of drowning Jesus said to them, “O ye of little faith.” (Matthew 8:26)   

God says to you through the Psalmist, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him . . .” (Psalm 37:5-7) It is the Lord who makes the sun to shine and rain to fall. He opens His hand and satisfies your desires. . . “ (Psalm 145:16) 

Prayer: Grant me, O Lord, “ . . . a faith that will not shrink though pressed by many a foe. . .” In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

O God Thou faithful God, Thou fountain ever flowing,  
Who good and perfect gifts In mercy art bestowing,  
Give me a healthy frame, And may I have within  
A conscience free from blame, A soul unhurt by sin! 

Grant Thou me strength to do With ready heart and willing  
Whate’er Thou shalt command, My calling here fulfilling;  
To do it when I ought, With all my might, and bless  
The work I thus have wrought, For Thou must give success. 

Oh, let me never speak What bounds of truth exceedeth;  
Grant that no idle word From out my mouth proceedeth;  
And then, when in my place I must and ought to speak, 
My words grant pow’r and grace Lest I offend the weak. 

If dangers gather round, Still keep me calm and fearless;  
Help me to bear the cross When life is dark and cheerless;  
And let me win my foe With words and actions kind,  
When counsel I would know, Good counsel let me find. 

And let me with all men, As far as in me lieth,  
In peace and friendship live, And if Thy gift supplieth  
Great wealth and honor fair, then this refuse me not,  
That naught be mingled there Of goods unjustly got. 

If Thou a longer life Hast here on earth decreed me;  
If Thou through many ills To age at length wilt lead me,  
Thy patience on me shed, Avert all sin and shame  
And crown my hoary head With honor free from blame. 

Let me depart this life Confiding in my Savior;  
Do Thou my soul receive That it may live forever;  
And let my body have A quiet resting-place  
Within a Christian grave; And let it sleep in peace. 

And on that solemn Day When all the dead are waking,  
Stretch o’er my grave Thy hand, Thyself my slumbers breaking,  
Then let me hear Thy voice, Change Thou this earthly frame,  
And bid me aye rejoice With those who love Thy name.  

O God, Thou Faithful God - TLH 395