Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
God our Helper and Redeemer
v34 - Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life.. "
During the 1800's missionary George Muller cared for thousands of orphan children in Bristol, England. One morning, even though there was nothing to eat in the house, the children sat around the table and gave thanks for the food, as they did always. As they finished praying, a Baker knocked on the door with sufficient bread to feed everyone, as the LORD kept him awake through the previous night and prompted him to do so.Soon after, the milkman knocked at the door to give plenty of fresh milk to the children because his cart broke down in front of the orphanage.
The above incident is a perfect example of how God cares for His children who look unto Him and call upon Him for help in times of need. In today's portion for meditation Luke 12:22-34, Jesus tells us that we are very valuable in God's sight. The God who provides for the ravens who are incapable of sowing, reaping, or storing food for themselves, is there to feed us and help us in situations that we are incapable of handling by ourselves. The God who does an elaborate job of clothing the flowers of the fields with colors and patterns that even King Solomon did not have in his wardrobe, is willing to do even more for us His children, who are made in His own image. Today's portion reminds us that we are not to spend much effort and worry about things God has promised to provide. We need not fret about what might happen and allow our emotions to control our lives. God will take care of us for He is our helper and redeemer.
Rather than worrying about such things, we can concentrate on being a part of God's kingdom and in being instruments in establishing his kingdom on earth. Instead of following the world and its patterns for gaining money and worldly possessions, we can use our God-given wealth to help the poor and needy and in turn store for ourselves riches in heaven. Worrying does not change things big or small, except to make those problems appear worse than they really are. As we enter into a new year, let us cast all our cares on our Almighty God who loves and cares for us.
Heavenly Father, help us to enter into this new year with the faith that you will provide for all our needs and that all we need to do is to leave our worries and burdens at your feet and trust in you.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"If we prayed as much as we worried, we'd have a lot less to worry about. Give God your worries " - Rick Warren
Anila Mariam Thomas, MTC Staten Island
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church