"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs." Matthew 6:31-32
For the last three months, I have been waiting to get a New Mexico license plate. I moved from Dallas, Texas, to Albuquerque in July and filled out all of the paperwork necessary for my new license plate, but I'm still waiting for it. My current license plate recently expired, so I called the car dealership to request a temporary plate shortly before it's expiration. To my surprise, when I called, I found out that my temporary plate had already been mailed and was on its way to me! I could not believe it. They had already known my need and taken care of it! There is something so comforting that comes from knowing that someone knows your needs and has already taken care of them before you even ask. If we feel this way about humans anticipating our needs and taking care of them before we ask, how much more should we find comfort in God's care and provision for us as He knows and cares for each one of our needs.
Matthew 6 reminds us that God knows and provides for our needs. These verses serve to comfort us when we are worried. In these verses, Jesus is speaking to a crowd of people about many things. He tells them not to worry about their everyday lives, including what they will eat, drink, or wear (verse 25). The birds don't do anything to work for their food, but God feeds them every day (verse 26). The flowers do not work for their clothing, yet they are beautiful (verses 28 and 29). If God cares for the birds and flowers, how much more will He care and provide for you and me? After saying these things, Jesus cuts to the heart and says, "so don't worry about these things… These things dominate unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs" (verses 31-32). Worry is something that should dominate the lives of unbelievers, but not followers of God. After all, if our Heavenly Father knows our needs, doesn't it stand to reason He will provide them?
In light of these verses, I've started saying to myself, "If I don't have it, God knows I don't need it." He's a good Father. He knows our needs and will provide for them in the way He sees fit. My friend, remember and find comfort in His provision today.
Laura CourtneySagebrush Staff Writer
In your journal, write out a prayer to God, thanking Him for knowing and for providing exactly what you need. In the difficulties and unknowns in your life, tell Him that you trust Him to work and provide in your life, even when you cannot see evidence of His provision. As your good Father, He will not withhold anything good from you. Rest in His love and provision for you today.
Read Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
