““Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”” Matthew 6:31-34 ESV
The future is unpredictable to the finite, but predictable to the Infinite. God alone knows what each day holds. He knows where our lives will lead and when they will end. He knows the times we will fall and fail, and the times we will seek Him. He is the One Who knocks on the door of every heart, hoping that we will let Him in.
When we become born again, we are washed by the Blood. No longer must we cower and fear. No longer must we worry about loss of possessions. For when resources are dried up, that is when we experience the Living Water within. When things do not add up and it seems the walls are crumbling down, we stand upon the Rock of our Salvation. In God alone we trust and put our hope. We do not waiver and become dismayed when man falls. We do not become upset or angry when things do not go our way. Rather, we sit in the humble acknowledgement that what God permits is for a Divine reason.
Rather than becoming angry with God, we must seek to understand. We must acknowledge the reality that God oversees all. What He permits to occur in our life is meant to grow us in virtue, character, righteousness, and holiness. He knows the trials and sufferings that will come. He knows the tribulations and adversities we are to face. When evil is done to us, we need not wonder why it was done. Rather, we must focus our gaze upon Christ and know that if our response is appropriate, eternal rewards have been stored up. All things are meant for our edification, even when we are persecuted.
Behind every eternal reward we shall receive lies humility and trust in God. For whatever we shall gain in Heaven, was done by the Holy Spirit working upon a submissive will. Whatever we gain in Heaven, will most likely have been due to some sort of loss here in this life.
We ourselves do not work for eternal rewards themselves, but for Christ. For just as the Holy Spirit is the Seal of our faith, so eternal rewards are the seal of good done with holy motives. Behind every eternal reward we shall receive lies humility and trust in God. For whatever we shall gain in Heaven, was done by the Holy Spirit working upon a submissive will. Whatever we gain in Heaven, will most likely have been due to some sort of loss here in this life.
Greater is the man who endures hardship, then him who complains when difficulties arise. Greater is he who prays for the lost when evil is done, then he who prays that they would be destroyed. Greater is the man who prays for God’s grace and strength through adversity, then he who prays to be immediately delivered.
For greater is the man who has little but gives wholeheartedly, then the rich who do so out of obligation. Greater is the man who endures hardship, then him who complains when difficulties arise. Greater is he who prays for the lost when evil is done, then he who prays that they would be destroyed. Greater is the man who prays for God’s grace and strength through adversity, then he who prays to be immediately delivered.
For those who grow in God know that God allows all things for Divine reasons; even our shortcomings. For God can turn evil and make it into good (Genesis 50:20). Even our wicked, sinful lifestyles can be used for good when we repent and believe. For the power of God is always manifested in those of us who have a changed and transformed lifestyle. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV).
Therefore, we must not worry about the future or tomorrow. We must not worry about how something will come about. Time and time again, God has proven His faithfulness to those who had faith in Him. God is able to provide. “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?” (Matthew 6:26 ESV). The same God Who gives breath to our lungs and allows us to live, shall provide for us. We are commanded to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 ESV).
May we give thanks that God has deemed fit to bring us to a place where our only hope is to depend upon Him. May we give Him praise that He is once again reminding us that we can do nothing without Christ (John 15:5), but in Christ we can do all things (Philippians 4:13).
May we give thanks that God has deemed fit to bring us to a place where our only hope is to depend upon Him. May we give Him praise that He is once again reminding us that we can do nothing without Christ (John 15:5), but in Christ we can do all things (Philippians 4:13). May we allow the unknown to not drive us into fear, but drive us to our knees. For it is in prayer that God shall provide. We need not be anxious or worried about tomorrow. We must simply focus on the day at hand and ask God what He desires of us.
May we allow the unknown to not drive us into fear, but drive us to our knees.
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Proverbs 27:1 ESV). Let us never boast about what we shall do in the future. May we set goals and hold onto God’s vision for our lives, but may we not become so easily deflated when the path to get there diverts from our original plan. For we do not know what the future holds.
“Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.” Epictetus
The greatest hardship for us is letting go. We want to be in control, but it is not until we recognize that all things are out of our control, that we shall be in control. Once we understand that we cannot dictate that which we cannot dictate, we shall possess greater peace and calm within. For just as the Greek Stoic Epictetus states: “Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.”
We must work within the day God has given and trust Him with tomorrow. For if He has given us a vision for our lives, will He not bring it to completion?
Shall we be so quick to worry when things go awry? Shall we become so quickly perturbed when plans don’t go as planned? We must work within the day God has given and trust Him with tomorrow. For if He has given us a vision for our lives, will He not bring it to completion? “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6 ESV).
May we not worry about the path, but our gaze. For if our gaze is straight ahead towards Christ and Eternity, all things will fall into place. Our physical path may swerve, but our spiritual path will remain straight. For those who set their gaze upon God in all things shall be able to endure all things.
May we not worry about the path, but our gaze. For if our gaze is straight ahead towards Christ and Eternity, all things will fall into place. Our physical path may swerve, but our spiritual path will remain straight. For those who set their gaze upon God in all things shall be able to endure all things.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4 ESV). Do not allow circumstances to dictate your faith. Allow your faith to override your circumstances. For greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Better to do than to worry within the present day. For those who live in constant fear and worry shall destroy profitability of working for the Lord. For chronic anxiety about the future never brought any benefits, but only hindered one from the current day's tasks.
God shall deliver us and guide us down His perfect path to fulfill His will. We need only "work the works of Him Who sent Me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work”” (John 9:4 ESV). One day, we will cease from working. Better to do than to worry within the present day. For those who live in constant fear and worry shall destroy profitability of working for the Lord. For chronic anxiety about the future never brought any benefits, but only hindered one from the current day's tasks.
Channel anxious energy into meditative prayer. Soon, you shall see that God waits for you in your tomorrow. He is already there, paving a way, speaking Truth, and waiting with open loving arms.
Channel anxious energy into meditative prayer. Soon, you shall see that God waits for you in your tomorrow. He is already there, paving a way, speaking Truth, and waiting with open loving arms.
Trust God and fear not, for He is with us (Isaiah 41:10).
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, God of Infinite Glory, You are Him Who is Eternal and Everlasting. You alone, O God, see all things, know all things, and can do all things. You are the Great and Mighty Alpha and Omega. O God, bless us with childlike faith in You. May we not worry about our circumstances or tomorrow, but may we put our hope and trust in You. Come swiftly to our downcast, anxious, fearful spirits. Rise us above the physical and ascend us into Your love. May we be comforted by You and You alone. O God, remind us that this is not our home. We are not living for this world. God, give us courage to face the day and the wisdom to do according to Your will. We desire to live holy and acceptable lives to You. We trust You with tomorrow and believe that You will prove Yourself faithful. For You alone can speak a word and make a way. We submit ourselves to You. Guide us, Holy Spirit, and may today be sufficient. Compound our days for the advancement of God’s Kingdom. May we never lose hope, but may You give us the strength to endure to the very end. For those who persevere to the end will be saved. Help us to finish the race You have set before us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lance VanTine
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