“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God[above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.
Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:26-34
This passage from Jesus’ sermon on the mount is a reminder of God’s faithfulness, which is often quickly forgotten on days when there doesn’t seem to be enough – enough time, enough money, enough stuff. Christ mentions a few here but there is worry in our hearts that goes beyond basic necessity: “How will we help our children? How will I overcome my grief? How will we pay for retirement? How will we spend time this year focusing on each other? How will I heal from the pain of the past?”
I pray we are daily reminded that a good God is above all these worries, and even though they feel insurmountable to us, they are so itty-bitty to the Lord who watches over everything. How much faith are we putting into a faithful God who has never let us down? How do we let Him steer our days, surrender our “right now,” instead of planning a tomorrow that may never come?
There’s a great song by Cory Asbury that calls from this passage, turning it into a declaration and praise. Here are its reminding lyrics to put gratitude in our hearts because, “Lord, You take good care of me. You know what I need before I even ask a thing.” Let us declare this truth over our lives this month and remind ourselves we are cared for, even in – especially in - our unforeseen future:
The sparrow's not worried 'bout tomorrow
Or the troubles to come
The lily's not thinking 'bout the seasons
The drought or the flood
A tree that's planted by the water
Isn't fazed by the fire
So why should I be?

The sun's not worried 'bout the winter
'Cause soon it will pass
The light's not thinking 'bout the darkness
Or the shadow it casts
A heart that's planted in forgiveness
Doesn't dwell in the past
So why should I be?

'Cause You take good care of me
You take good care of me
You know what I need before I even ask a thing
And You hold me in Your hands
With a kindness that never ends
I'm carried in Your love no matter what the future brings
Yeah, You take good care of me.

Excerpt from “Sparrows” by Cory Asbury

Share