“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
As we go through life, uncertainty is before us every day, and that uncertainty can produce an abundance of care, which can lead to worry, worry to doubt to fear. 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 accepted and some rejected. No doubt this applies. However, God has brought to my attention that it must 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. In the sermon, the first two hindrances prevent the Word from finding roots, however the last is the only hindrance that has an effect 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 autonomously 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. 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 toward riches; they now 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 one who has complete faith in God is the one who is at peace. 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 to God, and in giving, He will glorify Himself in your life and you will be “careful for nothing.”
