Luke 12:22-34
22 And He said to His disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, as to what you are to eat; nor for your body, as to what you are to wear.
23 For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
24 Consider the ravens, that they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!
25 And which of you by worrying can add a day to his life’s span?
26 Therefore if you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about the other things?
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither labor nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
28 Now if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You of little faith!
29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying.
30 For all these things are what the nations of the world eagerly seek; and your Father knows that you need these things.
31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided to you.
32 Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom.
33 “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor does a moth destroy.
34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Freedom from Anxiety
Do not be anxious
Are you the type of person who tends to feel anxious or worried? If so, today’s message is for you. “Do not worry” is not an advice but is a command. No matter how much you worry, it will not change the situation. On the contrary, worry wears people out and even robs them of the joy of living. Jesus spoke using the example of ravens and lilies. “Consider the ravens, that they neither sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable you are than the birds!” (v 24). These are beautiful words. Psalm 147:9 says, “It is He who gives an animal its food, and feeds young ravens that cry.” In Leviticus 11:15, ravens are considered unclean animals. Even such insignificant birds are under God’s protection. How much more, then, will God surely care for us? The term “lilies” likely refers to wildflowers in general. “Not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these” (v 27). These are also beautiful words. The beauty of the wildflowers eloquently speaks of God’s protection and love. The root cause of worry lies in unbelief. Let us confess the sin of unbelief and now acknowledge the lordship and protection of Jesus.
Seek the kingdom of God
Next, Jesus gave a positive command: “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided to you” (v 31). To seek the kingdom of God means: (1) To welcome the lordship and rule of Jesus into your heart and into your daily life. (2) To proclaim the gospel of Jesus. (3) Also, to strive to become someone who is worthy of being called a child of God. Then, what you need will be provided. This is a promise given to believers in every era. Jesus said, “Sell your possessions and give to charity” (v 33). This does not mean that we must not own anything. Rather, He was correcting a heart that is overly focused on material things. When the way we use our wealth is corrected, the condition of our heart is also corrected. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (v 34). This is truth. What, specifically, does it mean for you to store up treasure in heaven? Are you putting that into practice?
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, You have shown me that my worries stemmed from unbelief. Now, I welcome the Lord Jesus into my heart and into my life as the King of the kingdom of God. Please reign over my life. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.