“Take
therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the
things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” -Matthew 6:34
Fear is a weapon that the devil daily uses on
the children of God. As we go through
life, uncertainly is before us every day, and that uncertainty can produce abundance
of care which can lead to worry, doubt, and fear. For yourself, for your spouse, for your
children, for you friends, and for the things you have as well as the things
you lack. We can become so full of care,
there is hardly room for anything else. We
must guard against fear, against care; Jesus has left us the perfect example
and instruction.
The Bible tells us that the sower went forth to
sow, and some fell by the wayside, some on stony places, some among the thorns,
and some in good ground. In the past I
have taken this scripture in the context of a sermon preached to a waiting congregation. The seed was sown, some accept and some
reject. No doubt this applies. However, of late, God has brought to my
attention that it should apply to your daily life. For many of us, the Word of God is being sown
to us every day. We read the Bible, attend
church, bible studies, and hear through radio or multimedia. The Word has been and is being sown in your
life. The first two hindrances prevent
the Word from finding roots, however the last is the only hindrance that has
affect after the Word has taken root.
This hindrance comes to the man who has received and heard. Jesus said the cares of this world, the deceitfulness
of riches, and the lust of other things; choke the Word and it becometh
unfruitful. There is a progression (not
to imply that these cannot happen autonomous as well). First, you begin with the cares of this
world. Simply by living in this world we
are subject to the cares of this world.
The scope of which are innumerable, but wholly affect us as people. What we are full of care about is directly related
to our ability to provide for that care.
If you cannot provide for it then that care will likely manifest fear, stress,
anxiety, and dread. For example, your
car may blow a transmission on the way to work tomorrow. If, however, you have money in savings to fix
it, that care is not going to produce a high level of fear or stress. For this reason, many people advance to the deceitfulness
of riches. Riches often make up the
difference between the care and the provision for it. In fact, according to lotteryuniverse.com the
number one reason people play the lottery is because it is a “rescue fantasy.” They believe this money will “rescue” them
from all their cares. Unfortunately, we
will all soon find that riches are deceitful, and they cannot save. Finally, for those that strike it rich, or
are driven by fear to riches; have a greater capacity to fulfill their lust for
other things. Which then produces more
things (i.e. boats, cars, etc.) and a greater need to care for them. Now, lust is not exclusive to the rich, only
the capacity to readily fulfill it.
Furthermore, the lust of other things can morph into an “escape” from
the cares. Which again leads us back to
the necessity to guard against care.
Therefore, when Jesus says: “Take
no thought for the morrow” it is more than just a recommendation. It is a commandment. A commandment, that if followed, will guard
against cares, and help us to trust in God.
When we do, our faith will be lost in sight as the Lord provides for
us. This will strengthen our faith in
His Word, as we grow stronger in Him, the roots run deeper uninhibited by
cares, deceitful riches, and lust.
The happiest man alive is the man who has
complete faith in God. Jesus said I do always the will of my Father. What liberty!
What trust! What faith! Fear and
care come to us everyone, the devil wants us to believe that we must face it
alone, or at least through our own devices.
Christ is telling us to “take no
thought for the morrow.” Give it
God, and in giving, He will glory Himself in your life and you will be “careful for nothing.”
