5 Reasons Jesus Gives Us Not to Worry in Matthew 6

1

“Your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (V. 32): The most powerful antidote to worry is to take hold of the promise “Your heavenly Father knows.” God knows what we need and He is already at work to provide. What’s more, He does so not as some distant deity, but as our Father.

2

“Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (V. 25): God has taken care of our greatest need, defeating sin and redeeming us as His own children. We can trust Him to meet our other needs too.

3

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (V. 26): God’s provision is on display for us to see all around, whether for the birds of the air or the flowers of the field. We are the very pinnacle of God’s creation; His own image. It is unthinkable that God would pay such attention to birds and not to His people who can know, love and praise Him.

4

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (V. 33): Worry drives our minds away from Jesus. When we choose to sit at His feet instead and soak up His Word, we get a taste of the kingdom of God itself, where we now belong. In His presence, we are reassured that God walks with us through everything.

5

“Each day has enough trouble of its own” (V. 34): “Each day has enough trouble of its own,” but God’s mercies “are new every morning” (LAMENTATIONS 3:23). When we are filled with worry for tomorrow, we can remember that God is already there, and already providing faithfully.

1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me. 3 He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me—God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. 4 I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet—I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path—but they have fallen into it themselves.

7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. 8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.