We are glad to have you reading what the Lord shares with us. May you gain knowledge and be encouraged as you spend time with us in His Word today. Eric
At some time or other in or lives we have encountered situations which have caused us to worry. There are those who worry all the time about everything. I believe right now, many are worried about the future, concerning the time of the great change which will take place as we near the second coming of Christ.
We are going to be focusing our teaching today on what the Scriptures reveal to us about 'worry.' We will see that both Jesus and the writers of the Epistles addressed the topic of 'worry.' Numerous words in Scripture are used to indicate worry such as: worries, anxiety, anxieties, burdens, cares and concerns.
We will begin with some commands given to the believers by Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV), "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."
Jesus taught the believers to not worry about their life, what they will eat, drink or wear. He then expressed how the Heavenly Father takes care of and meets the needs of all the creatures and plants in nature. Next, He explained to them that mankind is much more valuable to Him (We bear His image) and that God will surely provide for them (us) as well, as we seek Him and His righteousness. Did you notice that the word "worry' was used 6 times in these verses? Merimno or a form of it, is the Greek word which has been translated 'worry' in these verses. The word suggests a distraction, or a preoccupation with things what causes one stress, pressure or to be overly-anxious. It denotes a mental preoccupation with things that causes one to be drawn in opposite directions. To 'worry' means to be divided and to have an anxious distraction or such anxiety that it hinders faith. When we allow worry to hinder our faith - it becomes "sinful anxiety" (HELPS Word-studies). Understand that God honors our concern for the spiritual and physical welfare of others. It is appropriate for us to desire to help others. However when our 'caring' hinders our faith - it becomes sin.
These verses in Matthew 6 are pointing to anxieties over daily necessities. Psalm 104:20 reveals that 'all creatures look to the Lord to provide for them.' One of the things we need to remember is that everything we have comes from God He created the earth and everything in it. Food does not come from human labor, He provides the seed, rain, fertile soil and seasons. The materials for our clothing and homes, all of it, was initiated during His creation.
God sustains the life He has made. If we place our trust in Him, we can experience freedom from anxiety which accompanies our concerns over His provision.
Remember how the Lord sent manna for the Israelites each morning? He taught them to depend on Him daily. He is Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider (Genesis 22:14). When we truly realize He always provides, it will foster a relationship of trust and gratitude in us.
Look again at verse 33 of Matthew 6, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well.” The Lord reveals that as we seek His kingdom and righteousness, all we need will be added (provided) to us.
So, when we realize the Lord gave us many commands concerning our not worrying, what is our solution to obeying? I believe the Lord has given us part of the solution to 'worry' in 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV), "Cast all your anxiety (merimnan) on him because He cares for you." 'Cast' epiripto “highlights a decisive intentional act of shifting a burden from one to another - so that the burden no longer rests on the original bearer.” (Topical Lexicon Bible Hub). 'Cares' melo in this verse means: to be concerned, or cares about. Melo assures us that God's concern for us is active and personal. God's steadfast care always prevails. We can "transfer every worry to His omnipotent concern." (Topical Lexicon Bible Hub). In essence, we can exchange every anxiety we have for our Father's care. In order for 'casting' to be successful, we need to partner it with trusting prayer.
Psalm 55:22 (NIV) reads, "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." The Hebrew word yehab was translated 'care' and means: personal load, anything that lays on the heart, body or mind. It also is that, which can be transferred to another party better equipped to carry it. It is so comforting to know He is better equipped to carry it all. 'Sustain' means support, provide and make provision. Notice too the Scripture does not say: He might, could, or maybe would sustain you...it says, He will!
As we cast our care onto Him, realize that would include taking it to the Lord in prayer. In fact, the best way to 'cast' our care onto Him with our worries and anxieties is to take them to the Lord in prayer. Philippians 4:6 and 7 (NIV) reads, " Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." When our minds are stayed on Him rather than on the difficulties, hardships and cares we will have our peace, because we trust Him. (Isaiah 26:3).
We do not have to worry about the future - He is there. God has promised to never leave nor forsake us. As believers, we have the promise that even when our days on earth come to an end - "to be absent from the body is to be present with Him." (2 Corinthians 5:8).
When troubles come, we are assured that even in our worldly troubles, He has overcome the world.
Jesus has promised and given us His peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." (John 14:27).
Does fear drive our worry? He frees us from all our fears. (Psalm 34:4).
When we are feeling weary and heavy burdened - He will give us rest. (Matthew 11:28).
God daily bears our burdens. (Psalm 68:19).
We need to identify the source of our worry. We need to cast our burdens onto Him. We need to trust the One who bears our burden (Psalm 55:22b). Then, we will walk unshaken. (Psalm 55:23).
What overwhelms us is overcome when we surrender it to the Lord.
God's character is one who lifts rather than adds to the weight of His people. (Psalm 68:19).
"Sometimes when we get overwhelmed we forget how big God is." (A.W. Tozer)
We will end today with Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
Thank You Lord, may we never forget to surrender every worry, burden, care and concern to You.
All Scripture is taken from the New International Version.