Mensa Otabil - Don't Worry
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We started the week talking about Elijah and his loneliness as he fled for his life. We discussed where we go when we feel lonely, where our refuge is, and what we trust in. We end with the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew chapter 6, verses 28 and 29: «Why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They neither toil nor spin, and yet I say to you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.»
Lilies grow from a deep root, and although their flowers look very fragile on the surface, their roots are very, very deep. It is from the roots that they bring forth their flower. Lilies have a way of surviving even when it is dry on top of the soil because their roots are able to find water and rich nutrients deep below. Jesus talks about the lilies of the field and recommends them to us. This means that if our roots are deep in Him, the Lord will nourish us, and He will cause us to flourish even in the desert.
It is no wonder that He is called the Lily of the Valley. In places where there is no life, that lily thrives because its roots are deep. When we trust in the Lord, we cease to toil. In faith, He supplies all our needs and sustains us. Lilies do not adorn themselves; they do not spin or weave, but look at how beautiful they are. Then He asks, «Don’t you think that God can do better with you than the lilies?» Of course, He can and He will. So, when life hits us hard, when we are buffeted, when we feel lonely and as if everything is against us, and when the world has become very tough and the cost of living is difficult, just take a pause. Relax and dig your roots deep in the Lord. Trust Him.
If you trust Him and hold on to Him, you don’t need to toil for Him to provide for you. He is able to provide for you because of the nourishment that is in Him, which comes because you are planted in Him. Today, the Lord is assuring all of us that if He can clothe the flowers and make them beautiful, He can make our lives beautiful too. If the Lord can take care of the birds of the air, He can take care of you too. If the Lord can provide for tiny little ants so they do not die of starvation, He will take care of you too. He tells us, «If I can do that, trust that I will do it for you.» If He can do it for animals and plants, He will do it for you.
Today, I just want to encourage you and assure you that God is in charge of your life and has not left your side. God’s hand is upon you, and His hand is not removed from you. You may feel pain, but God’s hand is upon you. You may feel distressed, but His hand is upon you. You may feel that everybody is abandoning you, but God’s hand is upon you. By His hand, He will provide for you; by His hand, He will be your refuge; by His hand, He will be your help and shelter. May the Lord God, whom you have trusted, keep you from all evil, protect you, preserve you, and give you victory in the coming week in Jesus' name.
Let us pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, You are my provider. Thank You for surrounding me with good things. In Jesus' name, Amen.»