God > fear
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, prepare my heart to meet You here. Focus my mind as I turn to Your Word.
Read LUKE 12:22–34
[22] Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. [23] For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. [24] Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! [25] Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? [26] Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? [27] “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. [28] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you-you of little faith! [29] And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. [30] For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. [31] But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. [32] “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. [33] Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What assurances are we given here?This is an amazing treatise on the dark power of anxiety, and necessarily so, as—in my experience—it is one of the hardest temptations to put down. Trust is hard. Trust is particularly hard if you don’t know where your next meal is coming from or how you’re going to pay the bills or replace those shoes with the hole in the bottom. In some churches, this reading is paired with Genesis 21:8–20. Abraham’s servant Hagar and son Ishmael are banished into the desert, with only one skin of water and a little food. When the water is gone, Hagar is convinced that they are going to die, but God provides a well to save them, and makes good on his promise to continue their blessings. Jesus promises us: God is greater. He loves us more (24b). He doesn’t promise us the mansion or the speedboat, but if we seek him (31) and look after those who have less than we do (33), he delights in giving us what we need (30,31).
Apply
Journal about this question and the evidences of its answer: “Where is your treasure?”
Closing prayer
Father, if we truly saw the worth of what lies beyond the veil, we would live for what is eternal. Open our eyes.
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