Do Not Be Anxious

Good Morning! 

And today is a good day … for God is on His throne and we are under His care.  I am reminded of Jesus’ direction to us about anxiety.  While it may seem the world is going crazy over the Corona Virus, we can still depend upon God to care for our needs.  Let’s take a look at what Jesus said …

Matthew 6:25-34 English Standard Version (ESV)

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Footnotes:

Matthew 6:27 Or a single cubit to his stature; a cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

Jesus is calling upon all of us to respond calmly to life events that seem to overcome us.  We have been told many times that for most of us the Corona Virus will not be life-threatening.  We do have to be conscious of the people we come in contact with … our family and friends who have compromising health issues.  But, should we contract the illness, we must do the things that make good sense … stay at home, drink fluids, avoid contact with others, and so forth.

Most of all, trust in the Lord.  Pray for one another, asking God to watch over you and your friends … and everyone else.  Remember, God is able to overcome all things.

One of the things coming down the pike is where our ability to come together for worship. My understanding is that our church body is planning to broadcast the sermon on Facebook and use Zoom to broadcast our Sunday Bible studies.  I have to ramp up my technology skills to follow this … but note – God makes a way.  I have also been told that I can use a Facebook feature to do Good Mornings.  Hmmm … we will see.

Each one of you remains in my prayers. I pray that God will give you peace as we endure this latest crisis.  May God use the crisis to teach us how to trust Him even more. 

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, many of us are anxious about this pandemic. We ask, dear Father, that You will give us peace as we face this storm. We ask, dear Father, that You will use this storm to teach us to trust in You and Your power.  Guide the minds of those who are working to find a vaccine for the virus.  Guide the minds of those who are in our government as they address the issues facing us. We place our trust in You and look forward to Your being glorified in the process. In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today: Matthew 5:25-34