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Matthew 13:22 (NLT)
The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. |
With everything going on in the world today, the voice of worry seems to continually grow louder and become more convincing than ever before. Worry has been around for a long time and Jesus spoke about it often in the Bible. We have all had to look worry in the face at some point along the way. It has some very persuading arguments as to why we should make room for it in our lives: sickness, finances, work, or relationship problems.
In Matthew 6:34 Jesus said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."
Sometimes this is easier said than done. How do we not give attention to something that on those really rough days in life is practically shouting words of fear, confusion, or doubt? In the parable of the four soils Jesus spoke about worry. The first soil was the footpath were the seed got stolen. The second soil was the shallow, rocky soil that grew shallow roots. The third soil was full of thorns and the fourth soil produced an abundant harvest (Matthew 13:1-23). If we are being honest with ourselves, there is a tendency for many us who are Christians to pay no attention to the first three soils and look directly to the fourth soil. After all, we believe in the Lord and have been saved, therefore, we must be in good soil. But worry isn't found in the fourth soil! It is found in the third soil.
Mark 4:19 says, "But all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced." When talking about the same parable, Luke 8:14 goes on to say, "And so they never grew into maturity." It takes a mature tree to produce an abundant harvest. Worry crowds or chokes out the truth of God's Word in our lives. We can't enjoy His fruit if we are too busy taking care of our worry!
Matthew 6:27
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
Worry can't add a second to our lives, but it will certainly steal days, weeks, and months from it.
Father,
Thank You for Your unfailing love! Thank You for taking the time to teach us and grow us. Help us become more like You in all that we say and in everything we do. Help us to uproot the worry in our life through the promises of Your Word. Thank You for continuing to nurture us into an abundant and fruitful harvest. We love You Lord. Amen.
In Matthew 6:34 Jesus said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."
Sometimes this is easier said than done. How do we not give attention to something that on those really rough days in life is practically shouting words of fear, confusion, or doubt? In the parable of the four soils Jesus spoke about worry. The first soil was the footpath were the seed got stolen. The second soil was the shallow, rocky soil that grew shallow roots. The third soil was full of thorns and the fourth soil produced an abundant harvest (Matthew 13:1-23). If we are being honest with ourselves, there is a tendency for many us who are Christians to pay no attention to the first three soils and look directly to the fourth soil. After all, we believe in the Lord and have been saved, therefore, we must be in good soil. But worry isn't found in the fourth soil! It is found in the third soil.
Mark 4:19 says, "But all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced." When talking about the same parable, Luke 8:14 goes on to say, "And so they never grew into maturity." It takes a mature tree to produce an abundant harvest. Worry crowds or chokes out the truth of God's Word in our lives. We can't enjoy His fruit if we are too busy taking care of our worry!
Matthew 6:27
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
Worry can't add a second to our lives, but it will certainly steal days, weeks, and months from it.
Father,
Thank You for Your unfailing love! Thank You for taking the time to teach us and grow us. Help us become more like You in all that we say and in everything we do. Help us to uproot the worry in our life through the promises of Your Word. Thank You for continuing to nurture us into an abundant and fruitful harvest. We love You Lord. Amen.
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