Daily Devotional

Today we live in a stress filled world and it is often difficult to keep a proper perspective.  Our minds are often distracted from truth, and we see life from a skewed perspective.  When this happens, we often begin to worry.  Worry causes a division in our mind.  We believe God will take care of us, but the problems seem so big and so real.  It becomes difficult for us to focus on the Lord and His promises.

Many of you know that Lynette and I live in the foothills near Prather.  We moved here 30 years ago because we enjoy the country more than the city.  There is a lot of wildlife in our area and ravens make up a part of that wildlife.  They are a good-sized black bird.  Jesus taught that God feeds them and takes care of them.  On our property are about ten almond trees.  Through the years we have lived here, we have only eaten a handful of almonds from our trees.  Each year, before the almonds are ready to be picked, the ravens arrive and strip the trees of all the nuts.  There usually aren’t any left.  This used to frustrate me until one day I realized that God is using my almond trees to provide for the ravens.  The ravens don’t have to worry about food, at least for a couple of weeks, as they eat all my almonds.  I realized there is a practical lesson for me to learn about worry.

When we worry, it blinds us to the reality that God takes care of all of His creation.  God clothes the wild flowers of the field with vivid colors and intricate design.  No two are exactly alike.  Even the ravens of the field have their need for food provided by the Lord.  Since God so adequately takes care of His creation then He surely will take care of us who He has given much greater value.  Jesus says, “And you are far more valuable to him…” (Luke 12:24 NLV) Because of that value He has placed on us, He will take care of us.  Everything in our life matters to Him.  He asks us to bring those worry producing things to Him.  “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLV) We have an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-caring God who wants to meet the needs of our lives.  We can give those cares and worries to the Lord and He will deal with them as He knows is best.  

Jesus is not saying that we should always sit around and wait for God to give us food and clothing.  But rather He encourages us to trust Him and to use the abilities He has given us to work together with Him.  Through this means he will provide our needs.  As we do our part we can trust God to do His part.

It is wonderful to know that God always has His eyes on us.  We have such great value to Him that He will take care us without fail.
 

• Have you allowed worry to distract you from God’s care in your life?
• What are you facing in life that is causing you to worry and question God’s care?
• How are you seeing God take care of you?
• What steps do you need to take to trust God more?

Prayer: Lord, help me see the great value you place on me.  Thank you for always caring for me no matter what my circumstances.  Amen

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.