The Gospel of Matthew

This devotional is written by Nicole Adamides. Nicole has been at St Mary's for about 5 years after seeing the "dream team" at New Wine. A south-Londoner who loves travelling, I now travel to my sofa to travel through the TV. Cooking from scratch has also become a feature of life lately and sadly portion control is not on my agenda at the moment! The God phrase that I try to live by and to encourage others with is "with Him, the best is yet to come".  It's been an amazing journey so far!

Do Not Worry

25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 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. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The Bible tells us about God's love for us and how He wants us to be the best we can be, as He created us to be. We just need to surrender to Him. I am stubborn and independent so surrender doesn't come easily! There are times when trying to sort things out myself means I end up getting side tracked and lost. I worry not just about the things I am facing today, but also the things ahead. Instead of "looking up" in my heart to God and seeking help, I end up stooped down, looking at me. My view isn't of God, it's of me:

25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 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. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

It's hard not to read the passage and immediately think of those struggling with the Covid uncertain world we are living in. Some have lost their jobs and others are living with illness and loss. This passage isn't about disregarding your worry or trivialising the anxiety. I don't think it's about being glib in the expectation that God will provide. The passage reminds us that God wants us to seek him in all things. Look up! He will provide, because He loves us, though his provision may not be what you expect.

28 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

During the first lockdown, I was struck by the silence and by the birdsong I could hear. It has always been there, but during that time I could hear it clearly. It's amazing to reflect on the beauty that God has created and this lockdown time has forced us to stop, reflect and refocus.

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I'm reminded of Micah 6:8:

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Pray: Lord, help me to remember how much you love me and that you want the very best for me. Help me to walk with you, to know you and to be with you in each step of the journey, especially when things get difficult. Amen.