Golden Pillar Class Study, teacher Leslie Crain.
Jesus said, “Take no thought…” How many of us make plans for today, tomorrow, or the week? Tomorrow I’m going to water the plants, fix spaghetti for dinner and write a note to Sister cucumber. Our days and lives change. We have little control. We had ideas of how things would be when we were married, of having children, of career plans.
Psalm 119:89 LAMED. For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
God has plans we can depend on. His purposes are settled above.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
God’s faithfulness means his plans are accomplished and don’t fail. People have the same feelings and struggles in all ages.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Things change because they’re every day things. We need to accept that God is in control and God never fails.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (Amplifed Bible) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith.
Do not be anxious. Anxious: experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
Jesus said, Take no thought. People suffer during times of war and poverty. The dear saints in Cuba are suffering in ways beyond our understanding. Take no thought doesn’t mean we don’t plan or prepare in our business or family decisions. We don’t get all caught up in the stresses and concerns of every day living. We take no thought about the things of this world. Being anxious is detrimental to trusting our Savior.
Matthew 6:25-30 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Matthew Henry puts it this way: “But the thought forbidden is, A thought which hurries the mind hither and thither, and hangs it in suspense; which disturbs our joy in God, and is a damp upon our hope in Him; which breaks the sleep, and hinders our enjoyment of ourselves, of our friends, and of what God has given us. A distrustful, unbelieving thought. God has promised to provide for those that are his all things needful for life as well as godliness, the life that now is, food and a covering: not dainties, but necessaries. He never said, “They shall be feasted,” but, “Verily, they shall be fed.”
Jesus instructed us to leave the thoughts alone. We have peace when our minds are stayed on God so our thoughts are not disquieting or unbelieving. Where do these thoughts come from? The disquieting, tormenting thoughts and the distrustful, unbelieving thoughts are from the enemy of our souls. Take no thought from the enemy of our souls. Our time is not to be spent worrying but in helping others. When we have restful, peaceful thoughts, we can help others. “Rest is a weapon given to us by God. The enemy hates it because he wants you stressed and occupied” (Elizabeth Elliot).
We know how it feels when anxious thoughts start. Sometimes it’s hard to stop them if we accept the drum beat of worrying thoughts. Isn’t God able to take care of us when he gave his life for us? Why should we be so worried about things when God takes care of the squirrels and birds? God planned a way that they can care of themselves. God planned that he would take care of us. Yes, we still have to do our laundry and wash the dishes. You can worry about wanting to be taller all day but it won’t make you taller. “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?” The trees and grass don’t worry about their cycles of life. If God has a plan for a plant, consider this and don’t let your confidence be shaken in the God of infinite bounty and love. Distress and worry are unprofitable. We gain nothing by worrying!
We need to be ready for when God calls us to carry another’s burden and pray for them. We have so much bounty and a lot of stuff we don’t need. Our basic needs are being met. Can we be content with what God provided for today so we’re available for God? Don’t let the enemy disturb our peace and rest. The Gentiles (people who don’t know God) seek after needs and worry about them. Our heavenly Father is much more able to supply our needs than we ever were.
Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
As we work for God, we call on him for help. We can depend on God to supply all our needs. We are fully taken care of. Sufficient unto the day is the trouble thereof. Things are going to happen. Elisabeth Elliot said, “When you look over what it was you worried about this time last week, did it happen? Was it worth the worry? If it was if the worst thing that you could imagine actually did happen—where did the worry get you?” Worry doesn’t help the worst thing. We need to know when to let go of some problems and situations. How long will you grieve? The enemy wants to keep our minds full of anxiety about the past. We can’t change anything. Take no thought of yesterday. Today is enough.
I Samuel 16:1 And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
Worry doesn’t help when the worst things happen, God isn’t going to leave us. Don’t forget that! Sometimes we have to let go of the past. How long are we going to keep worrying? God’s plan is that we learn from our mistakes. God had a plan for Samuel. He just had to do his job. It wasn’t his job to fix David.
I Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
“Today is mine. Tomorrow is none of my business. If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my spiritual eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now” (Elizabeth Elliott).