Text by Roxanne Flores
Read:
Matthew 6: 25-33 (NASB)
For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they? And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.
Reflect:
Failures, heartaches, and empty pockets, are some of life’s greatest teachers, and a new one has been added to the list ever since the covid-19 pandemic hit our communities–the heavy weight of uncertainty.
Worry has been an unwelcome visitor in almost every household. Asking questions like “What are we to eat?” “What are we to drink?” and “What are we to wear?” but in a different way…
“Will I get to keep my job? How can I sustain myself and my family in this pandemic? When will all of this be over? Will we ever get back to normal?”
And it is so easy to get lost in these questions when worry and uncertainty are staring right into our faces every morning we get up, but let’s take a closer look at what the Bible says about our worries. In Matthew 6, we are invited to look at the birds in the sky and consider the lilies in the fields; how they are so well-fed and well-clothed by the heavenly Father on every single day.
The birds and the lilies never had to worry, and neither should we. Why?
It is so good to note that of the many names God has, in these verses He is referred to as the heavenly Father. Not an earthly father with limitations and shortcomings. Not an earthly father who sometimes comes through and sometimes does not. He is a heavenly Father. He is not bound by the restrictions that we are caught in. He does not hesitate in His favor. He does not back down on His blessings. Simply because He is a heavenly Father.
And the best part? This heavenly Father is our Father.
Respond:
Dear friend, what are you worried about–food? Shelter? Health? Your family? Your relationships? Your ministry?
I invite you to once again, look at the birds and consider the lilies. And remember that the One who provides for them will all the more provide for you. Remember who your Father is. He is a heavenly Father who already knows what you need.
May you seek your heavenly Father’s kingdom and righteousness today.
Roxanne Flores is a licensed professional teacher and a storyteller who tries sometimes. Hands and feet currently in the Philippines, but her head and her heart are already out there exploring the nations. She’s always hungry—both for food and for God’s Word, so if you don’t find her working on her table, she’ll probably be in the kitchen, rummaging the fridge for some leftover food or a midnight snack.
AUTHOR: ROXANNE FLORES