2002-10-16
Good Morning Treasured Ones,
I can’t tell you how strange it sounded when someone first told me that I had no need to worry about things anymore. The truth is I have a head full of white hair, each one earned by worrying about something, important or unimportant alike. My husband will get real pleasure out of reading this message, because it’s about God trying to get it across to us that any burdens we carry can be properly placed on Christ’s shoulders, designed to handle them. I always said that worrying is in my genes, to which foolishness he has had many a good laugh. Sadly enough, the reason for anyone worrying is either no faith or weak faith in the Lord. I was raised without faith, so it makes sense that I have been so adept at worrying. It wasn’t until I began to spend daily time in the Scriptures and have an active prayer life that I began to recognize that worrying is another of Satan’s fiery darts. The bottom line is that if we spend all our time worrying about something, we can’t use the creativity of mind that God has given us to solve the problem or learn to see His perspective on it. MT 13: 22, “The seeds that fall among thorn bushes stand for those who hear the message; but the worries about this life and the love for riches choke the message, and they don not bear fruit.” This verse amidst the Parable of Sower often gets passed by, but it shouldn’t be. Remember that Satan’s favorite point of attack is the mind, and that’s the seat of worrying.
People who do something that is not in keeping with God’s intent have reason to worry. Look at the case of Adonijah, the son of David and Haggith who claimed the throne of Israel in 1 K 1: 5-10. This handsome man went and made a sacrifice at Snake Rock, near the spring of Enrogel. (9b-10) He invited the other sons of King David and the king’s officials who were from Judah to come to this sacrificial feast, but he did not invite his half brother Solomon or Nathan the prophet or Benaiah or the king’s bodygurards.” This would surely indicate that he knew he was doing something that was wrong. King David knew nothing about Adonijah’s action. Bathsheba then went to King David to tell him what had happened. After that King David made the following promise to his wife, Bathsheba, in 1 K 1: 29-30, “I promise you by the living Lord, Who has rescued me from all my troubles, that today I will keep the promise I made to you in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, that your son Solomon would succeed me as king.” The people with the help of the priest, Zadok, accepted this pronouncement. The trumpet to announce this was blown, and the priests, Zadok and the prophet, Nathan, anointed Solomon as king at Gihon Spring (45). At that point Adonijah’s guests became afraid and left the feast they had been enjoying. We really see Adonijah’s worry in 1 K 1: 50-53, “Adonijah in great fear of Solomon, went to the Tabernacle and took hold of the corners of the altar. King Solomon was told that Adonijah was afraid of him and that he was holding on the corners of the altar and had said, ‘First, I want King Solomon to swear to me that he will not have me put to death.’ Solomon replied, ‘If he is loyal not even a hair on his head will be touched; but if he is not, he will die.’ King Solomon then sent for Adonijah and had him brought down from the altar. Adonijah went to the king and bowed low before him, and the king said to him, ‘You may go home.’”
The only people who need to worry are those whose faith is weak or non-existent. God gives us assurance that we don’t need to worry. MT 10: 28-31, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, Who can destroy both body and soul in hell. For only a penny you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. As for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows.” The Psalmist in PS 94: 19 understood this point well. “Whenever I am anxious and worried, You comfort me and make me glad.” Christ showed us His attitude in MT 6: 31-34, “So do not start worrying: ‘Where will my food come from? Or my drink? Or my clothes?’ (These are the things the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all theses things. Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and He will provide you with all these other things. So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.” Worrying can be dangerous. LK 21: 34-35a, “Be careful not to let yourselves become occupied with too much feasting and drinking and with the worries of this life, or that Day may suddenly catch you like a trap.” We can’t add another day to our lives by worrying about things. When we worry, Satan is happy. That is the opposite of what our goal should be. We must not give in to the adversary and his evil.
PRAYER: O Lord, You never promised us that our lives would be easy, but You offer us so much perspective and hope, if we are willing to pay attention to it. 1 COR 10: 13, “Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.” Out of the goodness of Your heart, You have given us this message from the lips of Christ Himself. MT 11: 28-30, “Come to Me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke and put it on you, and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the burden is light.” David understood the need for dealing with matters of concern; he knew that turning to You first was the best way and expressed his faith in PS 31: 24, “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” You inspired Peter to offer us Your perspective on our worries in 1 PET 5: 6-7, “Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that He will lift you up in His own good time. Leave all your worries with Him, because He cares for you.” You love us so much that You inspired Paul in PHIL 4: 6-7 to give us the antidote to worrying. “Do not worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart. And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.” Today, we humbly bring ourselves to Your altar to confess our sins, take our worries to You, to listen carefully for Your response and wisdom, to pledge You our obedience and trust, to offer You our glory and honor, to express our worship and adoration, and to lift up Your name and the name of Your Son in thanks and praise. We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
As this portion of our Spiritual Warfare series continues, I am led to discuss another of Satan's fiery arrows, temptation, tomorrow. God has a lot to say about this subject, which is designed to build our faith and trust in Him. Our Lord loves us so much that He has equipped us to join Him in the battle against the enemy and his evil. We really have no more reason to be afraid than Jehoshaphat leading the Israelite army did against the Edomites, Ammonites, and the Moabites in 2 CH 20. We can heed well the words of 2 CH 20: 15, “Be not afraid, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” This truly is God’s battle, and when one is on His side and endures in faith, one can be assured of eventual victory in the name of Jesus Christ! The only time we need be afraid is if we are on Satan’s side of the matter. God is a Deity Who keeps His promises. PS 107: 43, “Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.” Everyday in our lives we can find more examples of just how profound the Lord’s love for His creation is. Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn