Today’s Scripture

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:31‭-‬33 KJV

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Matthew 6:26‭-‬27 KJV

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3 KJV

Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, In the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, Sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: And his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He hath given meat unto them that fear him: He will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, That he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; All his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, And are done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: He hath commanded his covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: A good understanding have all they that do his commandments: His praise endureth for ever.
Psalm 111:1‭-‬10 KJV

Save me, O God; For the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: Mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: They that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: Then I restored that which I took not away. O God, thou knowest my foolishness; And my sins are not hid from thee. Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: Let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; Shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, And an alien unto my mother’s children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; And the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, That was to my reproach. I made sackcloth also my garment; And I became a proverb to them. They that sit in the gate speak against me; And I was the song of the drunkards.
Psalm 69:1‭-‬12 KJV

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, And I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, And he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; He hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, Nor his mercy from me.
Psalm 66:16‭-‬20 KJV

Devotional

Worry or Worship?

We worry about everything, as if worrying will help! What will happen if…?

What will we do if…?

How will we…?

Jesus, however, seems completely convinced we don’t need to worry about anything. He challenges us in Matthew 6:26-27 that since we cannot extend our life even a little by worrying, why do we worry about the rest?

Do we know how to trust? Do we know how to worship rather than worry?

Our heavenly Father cares for us more than any earthly Father could and He rules with an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving sovereign hand. Everything – absolutely everything – is under His power and His authority. He is in control, His love is unconditional, and He has our best in mind.

So what do we really have to worry about?

Why is it so hard for us to rest in Him?

Oh, if we would just obey His Word and trust Him. When we obey to the best of our ability and follow the Lord with our eyes fixed on Him, we have the promise of peace and a life of worship. Think back to Isaiah 26:3. This is the sweet fragrance of faith – a picture of a life of worship instead of a life of worry. God, our Father, is pleased to press us into circumstances in which we are forced to choose between worry and worship, circumstances that exceed our comprehension and stretch our faith.

It’s vitally important for us to ask Jesus to help us really obey Him, trust His heart and be anxious for nothing.

Praise Him! – Fix your eyes upon Jesus. Focus on who He is – your Almighty God, the Lord, your Redeemer!

Admit to Him. – Confess your fear, your weakness, and your human frailty. Confess your inabilities.

Thank Him. – Thank your Lord for His listening ear. Thank Him for His heart of compassion and His loving-kindness.

Ask Him. – Ask the Lord for His help with your needs and bring your requests before Him. Do not be afraid to let the Lord hear your worries or your concerns. It is a godly way to respond to worry. Bring Him the concerns, ask him to give you His mind and His heart, and then so forward praising and thanking Him for all that He will do!

Until next time, Have a blessed day. Stay peculiar.