DO NOT WORRY OR BE AFRAID

Luke 12:22-34 / Keywords 12:32

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

 

12:22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Footnotes

b. Luke 12:25 Or single cubit to your height

1. Our lives are full of worries. Many worry about their livelihood, how they will provide for themselves and their families with even basic necessities. Others worry about their health and safety. Still others worry about their image and status. Parents worry about their children. Then there is worry over the environment, our political and economic landscape, and nuclear war, etc. Worries and anxiety plague us.

 

2. Jesus does not tell us to be complacent or negligent, but to seek first his kingdom and to trust that God will provide all that we need. When we first trust in God's love and care for us, we can build a firm foundation that can withstand greater and greater storms of life when they arise. God's love for us, fully realized, even goes beyond our life and death. God's kingdom and treasures never perish, spoil, or fade away. When we have this experience and relationship with God, he empowers us to live life to the full, with all that we need and more.

 

Prayer Lord, my worries often arise because I don't recognize your great love for me and provision for my life. I take matters in my own hands and am blind to your rich and eternal kingdom, which you offer generously to all who seek it.

One Word Seek first his kingdom