Daily Office Readings for Thursday after the 5th Sunday of Easter: Year 2
Psalm [70], 71; Psalm 74; Lev. 19:26-37; 2 Thess. 1:1-12; Matt. 6:25-34
“And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?” (Matthew 6:27)
I am a champion worrier. And I realize that the worrying itself often does more harm than the issue I am worrying about. I think worrying is somehow related to fear. They must be cousins. I heard in a movie once that basically fear is a deep concern about some event that has not happened yet, and may not happen at all. And yet here we are, ready to give up or worse yet, do something regrettable.
Our Lord Jesus makes the point that worrying really can’t help us, only hurt us. Our Lord Jesus tells us regarding things we worry about that, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6: 32 – 33)
I also ponder about the next verse and how God’s time might apply here. Our Lord Jesus says, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34) So tomorrow! Is that this life or the next? I fear, I worry still.
Let us hear what the Spirit is saying to and through the saints of God and then ponder anew what the Almighty can do. John