Scripture - Luke 12:22-31 Then He said to His disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. "Life is more that food, and the body is more than clothing. "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than he birds? "And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? "Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of the these. "If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown in to the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind, "For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. "But seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you."
Observation - Jesus is emphatically trying to get the people to focus their attention on heaven instead of their daily issues. As people our human nature worries and frets about the things that may happen. We are overwhelmed by concerns as Martha was. Jesus wants our attention to be paid to Him and His kingdom and to allow God to deal with our issues. Jesus reminds the people that God has EVERYTHING under control, from the lilies of the field to the birds of the air. He knows how to take care of His creation. Jesus reminds us that we are more important to God than these things and He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. The problem is that humans do not like discomfort. Our comfort level is important to us and we don't know how to see God deliver us from the situations we are in. God knows EXACTLY what we need and when we need it and worrying simply takes God from the throne.
Application - Worry seems to be a part of the human condition. I haven't met anyone in my life that has not spent a great deal of time worried about what might be. The issue is that we are fearful of the unknown and the things that may come. We are creatures that take current situational evidence and draw conclusions about future events based upon that evidence. When we don't the deduced outcome -we stress and worry about that end. When we worry about future events based upon carnally deduced evidence we eliminate the possibility for a supernatural encounter. God does not operate by our systems or functions, he is not limited to our ways and means, he is not controlled by our circumstances and carries with him the nature of a father. The bible says "Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you." God wants our worship, obedience and focus and wants His creation to depend upon Him and Him alone. He will deliver!
Prayer - Father help us to solely rely upon you. Not on our own abilities or intellect. Let us fulfill the scripture "Lean not on our own understanding but in all ways acknowledge Him!"
