When little children are upset or need help, who do they run to? They run to their parents, right? Why do they run to their parents? They run to their parents because they believe in their parents' ability to comfort, protect, and provide for them. They trust their parents to care for them as needed, and therefore, they do not have to worry. Instead of worrying, they have faith in their parents to come to their aid and help them. On a much larger scale, Scripture teaches that God is our loving Heavenly Father who cares for us. As a result, we can turn to Him for help and hope instead of giving in to the worries that we face.
During one of His most well-known sermons, Jesus reminded a crowd of listeners that God is a loving Heavenly Father who cares deeply for His people. In this passage of Scripture, He gave a very clear but challenging command not to worry. He said, "This is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to drink, or enough clothes to wear" (verse 25). Jesus instructed listeners not to worry about even the basic necessities of life, like having enough food to drink or clothes to wear. Why should we not worry? Jesus answered that question as He continued teaching. He reminded listeners that even the birds and the flowers are well taken care of by our Heavenly Father, and we are “far more valuable” than birds and flowers” (verses 28). If God the Father takes care of the birds and flowers, He will surely take care of us, Jesus taught.
My friend, you have a Heavenly Father who cares for you. When you feel overwhelmed with worries and when life throws you unimaginable curve balls, you can turn to Him. Because He is your loving Heavenly Father who cares for you, you can trust Him to take care of you. He may not always work in the way that you expect, but He will always be working and caring for you. Even more, He will always be with you. You do not have to walk through the trials and worries of life alone. You can turn straight to your Heavenly Father, who loves you and will always care for you.
Take some time to reflect on the truth from Scripture that you have a Heavenly Father who cares for you. Think about the truth that you are deeply loved and taken care of by your loving Heavenly Father. When you are finished reflecting, thank God for His care and provision for you.
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
5 “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
7 “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! 9 Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
10 May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today the food we need,
12 and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
13 And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
25 “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?
