Daily Devotion, September 6, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 6:25-34.

“Do not worry”----might be all we need to hear today. Those 3 words remind us we can trust God to supply our needs. All the verses are so rich with Jesus’ teachings helping his disciples then and now to focus our lives to be centered in God and God’s ways.

For us who are list-makers and seek to get everything in order, these verses cause us to pause, step back and breathe, as we observe the great care God gives to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. For us who are not list-makers, and aren’t great at planning ahead, we love these verses and finally feel validated in living one day at a time! But perhaps for us all, we are still missing the point.

Yes, “do not worry”. Then in verse 33, Jesus is teaching us what we are TO DO! “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Years ago, a devotional book from the public library changed my thinking on this verse. The author said that oftentimes, “seeking first” means that we simply place God at the top of our “to-do” list and after our morning devotional, we check that off of the list. Then we go throughout our day forgetting to follow God in our words and actions. The author said, “Yes, we have placed God first, but this isn’t what is meant here. It is that God, God’s ways of our lives together, and God’s ways of justice and righteousness are to be the whole purpose and center of our lives, as the center of the aim for the arrow’s target.”

Sometimes, our thinking can still be self-centered if we only put God first, to “get” everything else we want. But Jesus is calling his disciples then and now, to seek God and God’s ways of life for the sake of others. Yes, this life of faith in God is letting go of some of the things we fret about for ourselves and completely trusting God first to lead us in ways to love and serve others.

Personal Worship Option:

Loving God, in the midst of my worries, calm my spirit, by your Spirit. Thank you for your care. Help me to let go and trust you more. Lead me to others who may need you today. In Jesus name, Amen.