Lesson Nine • Do Not Be Anxious
Devotion 3: Promises

Pastor John Carter

For the last couple of days, we have been examining the double-sided approach to pessimism and promise. Jesus brought it down to the very basic human need for food and clothing. Yesterday, we learned about His promise of value for us. We are going to continue the examination of Jesus’ words regarding basic human necessities.

Matthew 6:27-30 says, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

Death is a scary thing to consider! I would think that being anxious about death seems reasonable. Yet, Jesus has a completely different approach. He asks a rhetorical question, “How many of us can actually extend our life by worrying?” I read a survey taken by Milan Dinic of YouGov (from the UK) about being afraid to die. The results stated that 41% were afraid and 43% were not afraid. The remaining 16% were those who said they had not thought about it. In this survey, women (47%) were more likely to fear death than men (35%). The survey points to the fact that this is something we, as humans, contemplate and consider. Honestly, I think it is important to truly consider death and examine your future after death. The reality is, we must all face it at some point. We know because our experience tells us that this body is getting older and weaker. We will eventually die. Hebrews 9:27-28 says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”

While the subject of death is not the main focus of today’s devotion, take time to consider that question. If you would like someone to reach out to you, text “riverconnect” to 97000. We would love to connect with you.

Now, back to what Jesus is teaching. He says as the book of Hebrews affirms that we are all going to face death at some point. Worrying about it does not change that. Jesus then goes on to talk about another basic fact of life we need: clothing. He compares the lilies of the field to our need of being covered. I am not a botanist, so I probably cannot explain this passage as well as they can; however, I can tell you that a field of lilies is an amazing sight to see. The word Jesus uses, “glory,” is a very accurate description of it. Just like the birds of the air, the lilies do not have to work at it to cover the earth. They are not worried about making sure they have the right outfit for the day. They are covered. Next, we see Jesus move to the promise over the fear, anxiety, and doubt.

“Will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” In America, we tend to not worry so much about the covering part as much as we do the brand of the covering. Our anxiety is often rooted more in the ascetics than in the physical. It is highly likely this passage already has a huge disconnect with many of us. We do not really worry if we will have clothes to put on tomorrow. Most of us have closets full of clothing. We do however spend quite a bit of time preparing to be seen by others. I am the father of three daughters. I am also married. We have chosen to have one bathroom in the house. You know where I am going with this thought. My time in the bathroom is very limited with four amazing ladies in my home. The point is, how much time do we worry or stress about how other people view us? Is it something even worth worrying about? I feel that as a father of three daughters, this is an important message to share especially to the ladies reading, you are “fearfully and wonderfully made”(Psalm 139:14). The world has created an environment that is super unhealthy, emphasizing body image and how we ought to look and dress. I try to point my girls to the Word of God and tell them and show them how God views them. Just as beautiful as a field of lilies is, how much more are you? In 1 Peter 3:3-4, we read, “Do not let your adorning be external – the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear – but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”

You are very precious in the sight of God! It is not how you dress or the way you look, but the very character of the person you are. Do not ever forget this promise of God; you are more! You are more than what the world tells you, more than how you feel, and more than your emotions. You are precious in the eyes of God.

I find it interesting that Jesus uses the food and clothing necessities to point us to His amazing promises. Men tend to think with their stomachs and women are often more concerned with how they look. Jesus is pointing us, in either situation, to look at the promises of God. We mean more to God than the most wonderful things on this earth. That is Jesus’ promise to us. Do we believe that? Do we hold onto that when we are in the middle of fear, doubt, and anxiety? Jesus concluded the challenge, “O you of little faith.” Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) reminds us, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Faith is not blind (substance) nor is it with proof (evidence). So, when we hear Jesus say, “O you of little faith,” I believe He is saying, “Why do you not see the substance and the evidence of who I am?” Take some time today and consider all the blessings God has given to you. Look for the substance of your faith and the evidence of God in your life. Oftentimes, when we only see the pessimistic side, it is because we have not looked for the promising side. I know that God is amazing and there are many things in my life that are truly wonderful and true blessings in my life. I can start by saying that my wife and my kids are an amazing blessing God has given me! My salvation and relationship with Jesus and the Father are a blessing beyond words! It is that easy. Make a list and write them down. When you start to let fear, doubt, and anxiety creep in, you can pull the list out and remember the blessings of God. Trying to wrestle through the difficulties of life and the anxieties that exist in each person’s life are a real struggle. We each have our own areas that we need help through. Reach out to a person in the church and ask them to remind you of the promises of God. Let me give you a few promises to meditate on today.

I am saved by grace through faith so all the promises are mine.

  • “That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring – not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, ‘I have made you the father of many nations’ – in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” Romans 4:16-17

  • “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

I am created for the great things God has prepared for me.

  • “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

I am a new creation. Old things are passed away; all things are made new.

  • “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

There are so many promises that I could not put them all in this one devotion. Seek out the promises you need to hear. Trust in the Word of God and His promises.