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Of Birds and Lilies
Aside from Jesus’ kind advice to avoid worry, what lessons can we obtain from this segment of the Sermon on the Mount? Matt. 6:25–33.
Through this powerful text Jesus teaches a number of principles that, if seriously followed, can protect the believer from much distress.
Keep things in perspective (vs. 25). A hectic schedule may make us lose sight of the truly important things. Daily routines may distract us from what we believe to be fundamental. God gave us life. God created our bodies. If He has the power and the willingness to do that, will He not provide food to maintain His creation? Will He not arrange for the necessary garments to dress our bodies?
Become inspired by simple things from nature (vss. 26, 28–30). Sparrows and lilies are among the most common things in nature. Jesus chose them as a contrast to the immense complexity of human beings. It is obvious that sparrows do not worry about tomorrow and that lilies do not toil to obtain the latest fashion, yet they are well taken care of. “ ‘Will he not much more clothe you?’ ” (vs. 30, NIV).
Worry is useless and pointless (vs. 27). Examining problems in order to find possible solutions may be productive, but worrying for the sake of worrying not only does nothing to solve the issue but magnifies the negative side of things.
Straighten out your priorities (vs. 33). Christians sometimes may be caught in the whirl of materialism or other things that can distract them from what really matters in life; thus Jesus reminds them: “ ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ ” (NKJV).
Winston Churchill said: “I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.”–[http://www.saidwhat.co.uk/quotes/political/winston_churchill].
Take a look at the things that worry you, and then kneel down and pray, asking God to take charge of all your worries. What are the concerns that you can have a part in fixing? What are things that are absolutely beyond your control? Do what you can to fix what you can, and then ask the Lord to help you learn to trust in Him for the rest.
| WEDNESDAY | January 5 |
Aside from Jesus’ kind advice to avoid worry, what lessons can we obtain from this segment of the Sermon on the Mount? Matt. 6:25–33.
Through this powerful text Jesus teaches a number of principles that, if seriously followed, can protect the believer from much distress.
Keep things in perspective (vs. 25). A hectic schedule may make us lose sight of the truly important things. Daily routines may distract us from what we believe to be fundamental. God gave us life. God created our bodies. If He has the power and the willingness to do that, will He not provide food to maintain His creation? Will He not arrange for the necessary garments to dress our bodies?
Become inspired by simple things from nature (vss. 26, 28–30). Sparrows and lilies are among the most common things in nature. Jesus chose them as a contrast to the immense complexity of human beings. It is obvious that sparrows do not worry about tomorrow and that lilies do not toil to obtain the latest fashion, yet they are well taken care of. “ ‘Will he not much more clothe you?’ ” (vs. 30, NIV).
Worry is useless and pointless (vs. 27). Examining problems in order to find possible solutions may be productive, but worrying for the sake of worrying not only does nothing to solve the issue but magnifies the negative side of things.
Straighten out your priorities (vs. 33). Christians sometimes may be caught in the whirl of materialism or other things that can distract them from what really matters in life; thus Jesus reminds them: “ ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’ ” (NKJV).
Winston Churchill said: “I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.”–[http://www.saidwhat.co.uk/quotes/political/winston_churchill].
Take a look at the things that worry you, and then kneel down and pray, asking God to take charge of all your worries. What are the concerns that you can have a part in fixing? What are things that are absolutely beyond your control? Do what you can to fix what you can, and then ask the Lord to help you learn to trust in Him for the rest.
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