January 8

Genesis 18:16-19:38
Matthew 6:25-7:14
Psalm 8
Proverbs 2:6-15

I think God is trying to tell me something. This is the second week in a row that the subject of worry and fear is on my mind. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us not to worry. This is not a suggestion, He commands us not to do it. God provides for the flowers of the field and the birds of the air. He loves us more than the flowers and the birds, so wouldn't it make sense that He would take care of our needs as well? We should be confident in God's provision because of His great power and love. 

We are commanded not to worry, but we all still do it. When we start to feel anxious, what should we do in order to stop? Look at Abraham in Genesis 18. God told Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of the wickedness that took place there. I'm sure that Abraham was worried because his nephew Lot lived there. Abraham pleaded with God to have mercy on the cities. He was honest with God on how this news made him feel. He asked God to spare the cities for the sake of the righteous that may still remain. Six times Abraham asked God to show mercy, each time for a fewer and fewer number of faithful people. God agreed that if there were 10 righteous people, He would not destroy the cities. Abraham took his worried thoughts and feelings, and he presented them to God with full honesty.

I think it would be impossible for us to stop worrying altogether. Unfortunately, it's a part of our human nature. But what we can do is change how we respond to it. We don't have the power to control the outcome of a lot of situations, so worrying about them will get us nowhere. (Matthew 6:27 "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?") But we serve a God who controls the outcome to all situations and He loves us more than we can possibly imagine. When you start to worry, do what Abraham did: he openly shared all his concerns with God, his Heavenly Father. 

Proverbs 2:10 (NLT)
"For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy."

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."