“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious 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? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 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.” – Matthew 6:25-29
Lord, thank you for caring for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field! Thank you that I am infinitely more valuable to you than they are, and you care for me deeply and personally.
In a world that praises independence and a do-it-yourself mentality, I know I was made to live dependent on you. As I lay down any ways I have held on tightly to independence instead of your gentle hand, would you help me release to you every anxiety and worry about not having enough and show me what it looks like to exchange striving to provide for myself for abiding in your care and provision?
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30
Lord, I repent of any lies I have believed about your character and your heart towards me. Thank you for being a loving father who delights in providing for his children. It is your joy to provide for me in every area of need in my life. Help me release the heavy burden of anxious toil and enter into the promise of your easy yoke as I learn to be carefree in the care of my God.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” – Psalm 34:8-10
You are the God of abundant life, who withholds no good thing from those who seek Him. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but you came that I may have life and have it abundantly. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. I trust your gentle shepherding.
In Jesus name,
Amen.