God’s Word for Times Like These is a series of 10 inspirational Bible reading notes produced by Scripture Union International as the world tries to cope with the immediacy and the urgency of Covid-19. This is Part 6. In Part 5 we learnt to Preach to Your Soul and Wait on God.
Part 5: Pause
Find a comfortable place to sit. Notice what is around you. As you notice, say these words to yourself, ‘Therefore do not worry.’
Read
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
As many of us around the world find ourselves inside, this passage comes as a reminder to stop and look out of the window. Notice the clouds in the sky, watch a bird circle on the wind, pay attention to the flower growing in the container by your door. As we pause and take notice, we can hear Jesus’ words afresh, ‘Are you not of more value than they?’ These words, spoken thousands of years ago, are coming to life for us in new ways. Our creator God cares more for us than the blades of grass. Jesus urges his friends not to worry about tomorrow. While we will naturally have concerns, we are not to be overcome. Rather, we can focus our attention on the things of God. We are to strive for God’s kingdom. Now is the time to seek God’s righteousness, and to bring God’s presence to those we meet, whether in our own homes or via a screen. Let us encourage each other to take one day at a time, for today’s troubles are enough for today (v34).
With your family
If you are allowed to go outside, go for a walk as a family. Notice together:
- 5 things you can see
- 4 things you can hear
- 3 things you can feel
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste.
Find a place on your walk or when you get home to sit down and read this passage again together. You might like to read a verse each.
If you cannot go outside, walk around your house doing the same thing. See what things you can find inside that God created. Then sit together around a table or somewhere comfortable and read the passage again.
Prayer
Creator God, thank you for your care of us, you notice each one of us and that you love us deeply. Help us be people who turn our focus to you, and your kingdom. Amen
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