May 29 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Worry is never an expression of faith and trust, even if it is about good and righteous matters. Jesus tells us that to worry and fret is a manifestation of little faith in God. What does Christ mean? Does the phrase suggest that when anxiety strikes us and blurs our vision of God’s glory and plan, we will be eternally lost? No, it does not. All believers struggle with anxiety of some sort. Psalm 56:3 says, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” David does not say, “I never struggle with fear and anxiety.” Our faith and trust in God is constantly under attack and we must repeatedly fight to get it back on track. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” Again, we are not told that we will never feel anxious, but we must get our head out of the fog of anxiety and focus on the Lord.

Isn’t it striking and ironic that we who have faith in the Lord, who believe He has redeemed and forgiven us in Christ, worry about such mundane things as food, drink, finances, housing, clothing, and health? Many times we act as though the Lord does not have the ability to help us with those things. Sometimes the anxiety can be so intense that it puts knots in our stomachs and makes us lie awake at night. Jesus says that if you take anxiety and boil it down you will be left with unbelief: “O you of little faith.”

The more we rely on the Lord’s promises, the more worry will fade to the background. Our heavenly Father knows what we need and pledges to look after us. As long as we make God’s kingdom a priority we can be sure that our Father will take care of the rest. The Lord knows what we need. That’s an impressive promise!

In everything you do at home, at work or at school, put God’s purposes first and He will provide all you need to live for His glory. Believe the promises of the Lord and financial anxiety will evaporate in the warmth of God’s care. When you are anxious, take hold of this promise: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)