Wednesday November 2, 2022

Today is Wednesday, November 2nd, and this week we are studying the words of Jesus in Matthew chapter six.

I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to quiet my mind, and to focus on the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I yield myself to your ways. I fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. In anticipation, I come to your throne knowing you have a word for me today. Help me to hear your voice. Amen.

I rejoice in the Lord with the words of Psalm eight.

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8:3-9

Pause and Pray

Today we continue looking at what Jesus teaches about excessive fear over material things as a form of serving money over serving God. When we remember God’s fulfilled promises and trust in his created order for the world, we are able to release things that are beyond our control. Jesus’ original Jewish audience would have been familiar with King Solomon’s extravagant wealth and knew that he lived a life of luxury. (2 Chron. 9:22-24) Jesus contrasts Solomon’s material wealth with God’s provision for his own creation. No matter what time and place the reader is in, he is able to picture birds and flowers that God cares for.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers 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—you of little faith? Matthew 6:28-30

When I recall all that God made in the book of Genesis, I see that he made me in his own image and these plants and creatures that God sustains are placed under my dominion. His plan is perfect. Yet the world is not as it should be. I find myself longing for more than I need. Culture tells me I need to buy more and my thoughts are filled with things I want to acquire. I’m surrounded by a world that tells me I don’t have enough and I am not enough. I find myself yielding in obedience to money and not my Heavenly Father. God is so good to give me reminders of his care for me as I simply go through my day. I only need to look outside to see how he cares for his creation to see that evidence of his faithfulness is all around me.

Ask: What material things do I frequently find myself thinking about more than I should? How can I be mindful to look for evidence of God’s care for his creation today?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, you are the most wonderful, mindful, and caring Creator. Forgive me for my selfishness. Forgive me for my greed. Forgive me for lacking faith in you. Give me an undivided heart that beats for you and you alone. In Jesus’ name. I reread the words from Matthew and seek your message for me today.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers 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—you of little faith? Matthew 6:28-30

Ask: What image, word, or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

I listen for the prompting of the Holy Spirit today as I keep this passage of scripture hidden in my heart. I will keep my eyes open to see God at work in my life.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, lead me into deeper discipleship of your son Jesus and I am transformed to be more like him. Amen.

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. John 17:15-19

I leave this time of prayer going forward content in my present circumstances, reminded of God’s provision, and abiding in his love for me.

Amen