“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” Matthew 6:31-32 (NKJV)
Children are phenomenal. They sleep, wake, play, eat, cry, and laugh and have no worries in life. They do not ponder where their next meal will come from or worry about the clothes they will wear tomorrow. They do not get worked up trying to figure out if Daddy and Mummy have enough money for the latest toys. They carry on with their lives, not bothered by anything.
Interestingly, Jesus had at some point instructed his disciples to become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-5), and even though He was referring to the humility exhibited by little children in that context, in some ways we can also learn from the light-heartedness of children. Children do not burden themselves with worry about their needs; they grow up trusting their parents to anticipate and provide for those needs, often before they even ask.
In the same way, believers have a Father in Heaven, whom the Bible describes as Love personified (1 John 4:8). He demonstrated His care for you first by dying for you, and because of this, you can be assured that He will freely give you all things (Romans 8:32). This should be your meditation at all times.
In today’s anchor text, Jesus tells us that the Father knows all our needs even before we ask. He further emphasized the futility of worrying, pointing out that it cannot extend one’s life or provide the very thing causing the worry. Worrying only robs us of peace, time, energy and ultimately, our trust in God. This is a call to repentance from meaningless worrying and to know that God loves you and cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
Instead of worrying, talk to God about your concerns through prayers and fill your heart with gratitude to Him for the prayers He had answered in the past (Philippians 4:6). The goodness of God in the past should give you confidence for the future.
Dear believer, ensure that you meditate on the love of the Father, go to Him in prayer and be thankful.
Bible Reading Plan: Exodus 4 -6; Matthew 16:13-17:8