Matthew 6:25-34 (NKJV)
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
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Several years ago while I was briefly unemployed the Lord spoke to me about this passage of scripture but He showed it to me in terms of how the military provides for its active-duty service members.
In a flash I saw how the military provides its service members with housing, food, and uniforms. With these items being provided it allows the member to be focused on the mission of protecting and serving our nation. Because service members have their needs met, there is an elimination of distractions, worries, and general care for their basic essentials. Therefore, their minds and energy can be fully given to accomplishing daily tasks.
Likewise, when we serve God He takes care of our most basic requirements for daily living. That’s not to say He will not provide above and beyond those things because that happens. But, the good news is that we don’t have to worry about physical needs being met. As good soldiers of Jesus Christ, it frees us up to place our focus on kingdom business.
That was His message to me. Although my company had lost its contract He wanted me to realize that He was going to continue to take care of my needs, as He always had. It wasn’t my job that had provided for me. It was Him. So my responsibility was to continue to serve and worship Him while building His kingdom. That was and continues to be my job.
Today, I want to exhort you not to ever worry about your daily needs. Stay focused on the mission at hand by continuing to serve the Lord with all your heart, soul, and might. He will cover, keep and provide for you. Even if there is a change in your career status, finances, housing or other major area that impacts your social-economic situation, understand that God our Father is responsible for taking care of your needs.
The benefits of serving in the military are great, the benefits of serving the one and true living God are even greater!
Selah