Luke 12:22-31 (NRSV)
Read Luke 12:22-31 on biblegateway.com
Verse 22He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. Verse 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Verse 24Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! Verse 25And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? Verse 26If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest? Verse 27Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. Verse 28But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you-you of little faith! Verse 29And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. Verse 30For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Verse 31Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Devotion
When we are so focused on food and clothing, what do you mean Jesus, “Do not be anxious”? How can we be freed from our anxieties? What can we learn from ravens and lilies? In light of our questions, Jesus knows we are people of little faith. His gracious word of teaching is that our Father knows us better than we ourselves. Therefore we rest in God’s provision for all things, and the greatest gift of all…his eternal kingdom in Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Gracious God, quell our fears and anxieties; open our ears to hear the words of your Son. Teach us to trust in you above all things, thanking you for giving us the best of all provisions… eternal life in Jesus Christ. Amen.