Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 12:13-34 "DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE..." Luke 12:22"
Day 163 – Luke 12
Text: Luke 12:13-34
“DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE…” Luke 12:22
Are we “worried” about the future? Are we worried about our life? If we are honest with ourselves, many of us are anxious about our life, both present and future.
Did the parable go down well with the crowd? Did they fully appreciate what Jesus sought to teach them? Perhaps, and then, perhaps not.
Once again, we see how Luke distinguished between the multitudes and the Disciples of Jesus. To the multitudes, Jesus spoke in parables. To His Disciples, Jesus spoke in greater length on the subject of Life.
“Then He said to His Disciples,
Therefore I say to you,
Do not worry about your life,
What you will eat,
Nor about the body,
What you will put on.
Life is MORE THAN food,
And the body is more than clothing.’ “
Luke 12:22-23
What a dynamic view of life! Take time to memorize and meditate on the words of Jesus carefully. Each time worries come, let the words of Jesus be recalled.
“Life does not consist
in the abundance of the things he possesses…” Luke 12:15
“Life is more than food… and clothing…” Luke 12:23
HOW CAN WE COMBAT WORRY EFFECTIVELY?
Many of us tend to worry, even though Jesus specifically teaches us not to worry. How do we fight the problem of worrying? Let us learn how we may win this battle against the problem of worrying.
1. “Consider the ravens…” Luke 12:24
Worrying starts with the mind. The battle against worrying must also begin in the mind. It is important to know that we must guard the thoughts that enter the mind. Jesus taught His Disciples to train their minds to reason well.
a) They must train the mind to think carefully and well. The birds of the air, for example, the ravens, are well taken care of. Jesus reminded His Disciples, “God feeds them” (Luke 12:24). God must be central in our thoughts!
b) The mind must ponder over how God provided for the birds of the air. If God did that, surely He would also provide for man – for us! The mind must understand an important fundamental truth. We are of much more value than the birds” (Luke 12:24)
2. “Why are you anxious…” Luke 12:26
Jesus had to emphasize the fact that worry is an absolutely worthless pursuit. Worrying changes nothing! Worrying makes no positive effect whatsoever.
“And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
If you then are not able to do the least,
Why are you anxious for the rest?
Luke 12:25-26
It is important to remember that in order to battle worry effectively, we recognize the foolishness of worrying! It does nothing positive for the “worrier”.
3. “O you of little faith..” Luke 12:28
Once again, we are told to use our minds in this great battle against worrying. The lilies are certainly not worrying. God clothed them with a glory of its own. The glory of lilies is not inferior to the glory that King Solomon had.
Jesus extended this line of argument and spoke of humble grass.
“If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field
and tomorrow is thrown into the oven,
how much more will He clothe you,
O you of little faith?”
Luke 12:28
In the fight against worrying, we will have to exercise our faith. When the mind is weak, it will lose in the battle against worrying. When the heart is anxious, it will succumb to useless activities, like worrying. If there is little faith in God, then the battle against worrying will also be lost!
Faith in God must have this element of knowledge,
“And do not seek what you should eat
or what you should drink,
nor have an anxious mind.
For all these things the nations of the world seek after,
And your Father in heaven knows that you need these things.”
Luke 12:29,30
“SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU” Luke 12:31
What a great challenge Jesus issued His Disciples. They had forsaken much when they took up the challenge of being Disciples. They must press on determinedly. Their search for the Kingdom of God would not be in vain!
All that they need in life would be taken care of. God would provide for all their needs! Can the Disciples believe in what their Teacher said?
The problem of worrying about food, clothing, and money continues to dominate the lives of many till today. Let us consider afresh what Jesus taught His Disciples. Worrying can be defeated when we exercise our mind, heart and spirit in faith!