Mar 4 Stop Worrying!

Mar 4

Stop Worrying 

1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

If you do not do what I say then you will be killed! Oh dear!  Now what? If the head of a modern country made an executive order that everyone must worship Allah or face a firing squad what would the Christians in that country do? 

     That reminds me of a story (true or not??) of cold war Russia. A large group of Christians were meeting when two Russian soldiers charged into the meeting with loaded machine guns and announced they were there to arrest everyone who was a dedicated Christian. They said those who were just visiting and were not Christians could leave. People headed for the door, leaving only a small group of Christians. The soldiers locked the doors and then said “We too are Christians but cannot risk worshipping with those who are not dedicated to Christ.”

     Now back to the executive order and the firing squad. That actually happened. Well the details were different but the situation was the same. Three men of the tribe of Judah, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, refused to bow down and worship a huge 90 foot tall golden idol. Nebuchadnezzar talked to them and when they still refused he was furious and had them cast into a fiery furnace.

      We know them by their Babylonian names, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  The answer they gave the king is the object of our devotion today. The King’s decree did not frighten them. They were not worried, nor filled with care.

Da 3:16 …O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

We are not careful!  We are not full of care. And they weren’t worried. They told the king, our God is able to deliver us out of your hands. Even if He doesn’t we will not bow down. These guys trusted God so much even the threat of death did not worry them enough to make them change their minds. They simply did not care. They were not filled with care.  

 Then there is the other extreme. Being careful for everything. We find that example in a woman who is preparing a meal. She is struggling with which plates to use, should she put the salad dressing on the side or just pour it on the salad. She can’t remember if John likes corn. Is Sally allergic to chicken. She wishes her table napkins didn’t have that pink stripe that doesn’t match her dishes. And why won’t this gravy thicken? So much to do and the guests are waiting.

Lu 10:41 …Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Jesus entered into a village and Martha invited Him to her house. Martha’s sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him, but Martha was frantic out in the kitchen. She finally complained to Jesus “Jesus, tell Mary she should come and help me!”  Scripture does not record the expression on Jesus’s face but I think it was a mild little smile. The same one most husbands have had when they try to get their wives to stop obsessing on trivial stuff. And yes I know men who obsess over trivial things too. The point is she was so filled with care about the meal she was missing an opportunity to enjoy her guest.  Yes someone had to prepare a meal or snacks or whatever they had. But it could be done with less worry and care. She should have been listening to Jesus instead of trying to decide if she should get out the fancy glasses or use the plain ones from the cupboard.

          Paul offers his advice on the subject.

Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Paul said don’t worry, be happy! Please do not think I am suggesting you spend time praying about what dishes to use. But you should give to God all those things that worry you. Give them to God with a prayer and thanksgiving. Do not let your mind be filled with the cares of life. Give Him all those little things that occupy your mind and prevent you from enjoying your relationship with God.

 Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

Yes, I do realize there are many things that can cause a person to worry. What about the bills, the kids, the house, the car, taxes, health issues, etc, etc. But does your worrying about them make them any less of a burden? No, so give them to God. Pray about them and let go. God is still in the business of caring for you.

          Perhaps you already have learned how to do this. If so share this devotional with someone who really needs it. For today let us meditate on God’s goodness to us and his instructions regarding care.

1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.