Twenty-fourth Day of Lent

 Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Hallelujah!  He is risen!

A Lenten Devotional Guide

By Bud Ludwick

 

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 important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 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, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for   tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:24-34 NIV

Learning to trust was one of the hardest things for me. I was one who had to be in control. That worked well until our two oldest sons became teenagers and both began to drive. Suddenly the boys were out of my control. I could not protect, direct, or ensure their safety. This came to me as I lay awake at night waiting to hear the back door open as they came home. What a helpless feeling wondering if they had been in an accident or were in some other trouble.

That’s when I knew I needed help. I found that in Matthew 6:25-34 – the “don’t worry” chapter. It gave me the strength to trust that the boys would be just fine in God’s hands.

There are still times that I like to put on the “concern” hat. But concern and worry are different. As I grow closer to Christ I return to the words of Matthew to remind me to be free of worry. Praise God!

Lord, forgive me when I fall into the worry trap. I do trust you. Help me to be more consistent in my trust. Amen                                                                       

Hallelujah! He is Risen!
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Spring 2011
compiled by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator
reproduced and edited by Patience Fort