Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
Beloved child of God, anxiety should not be found in you. There may be numerous, enormous or diverse trials, afflictions, and difficulties surrounding you, but your loving Father does not want anxiety to exist in you under any circumstance. You have a Father in heaven who is almighty, who loves His children as He loves His “one and only Son” and whose complete joy and delight it is to continually assist His children under all circumstances. Can you add a single hour to your life by being anxious? [Paraphrase Matthew 6:27]
The scripture for today reminds you not to be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, that you should present your requests to God. The word is a reminder that “In everything”—not simply when your house is on fire or when your loved ones are in grave need, but even in the smallest matters of life. You are to take everything to Your Father - little things, very little things, even what the world calls insignificant things. You should develop something of a spiritual instinct, causing you to immediately turn to God when a concern keeps you awake at night. During those sleepless nights, speak to your Father, bring your various concerns before Him, no matter how small they may be. Also speak to the Lord about any trial you are facing or any difficulties you may have in your family or professional life.
The scripture for today is a reminder to make definite requests, earnestly plead, persevere, endure and wait on God, for indeed He will come through for you. You are also reminded to be thankful. Even if you have no possessions, there is one thing for which you can always be thankful—that He has saved you a life of eternal damnation. You can also give thanks that He has given His Holy Word, His Holy Spirit, and the most precious gift of all—His Son. When you ponder on all these, you will have abundant reasons for thanksgiving.
The promise when you heed His word, when you cast all your cares upon Him and let go of anxiety, is that "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” [Phil 4:7]. This is such a wonderful, genuine, and precious blessing that to truly know it, you must experience it, for it “transcends all understanding.”
Prayer: My Loving Father, I thank You for my life, for Your Holy Word and Your Holy Spirit that has kept me. I thank You for the precious gift of Your Son whose sacrifice has given me life everlasting. Father, I take the wisdom and truth of Your word for today to my heart. As I search my heart several times a day, remind me to take proper steps to restore the calm if anything is disturbing my peace. May Your peace, which transcends all understanding guard my heart and my mind. In Jesus Name, Amen.
One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan - Nov. 14 2010 - Psalm 35 - 36 (OT) , Matthew 3 (NT).
God’s Love and Mine…
