Inordinate Anxiety
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"And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them." Luke 12:29-30
The "worry" of which the Saviour here speaks, has reference to our temporal necessities. It is often found more difficult to trust God with the interests of the body — than with those of the soul. Not a few are oppressed with gloomy doubts and fears concerning the former — who enjoy the sweet assurance that all will be well with the latter. It is a very common thing for people to distress themselves with the painful apprehension that they will be left destitute of the necessities of life, or that they will have to end their days in the poor-house — who have a good hope through grace, that there are everlasting mansions prepared for them, above. But such anxious thoughts should not be entertained, inasmuch as He who has promised to His people eternal life in heaven — has also promised to supply all their needs upon earth. Why, then, should there be confidence in the one case — and distrust in the other.
Child of God, shall we refresh your memory, by reminding you of some of those precious promises which appertain to the present life — in contradistinction to that which is to come. Is it not written, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and truly you shall be fed." "O fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry — but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." "He will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him." "For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord will give grace and glory — no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." And remember He is faithful who promised — and that none of His declarations have ever been forfeited yet.
Give not way, then, to undue anxiety about those lesser things which, as well as the weightier matters of your soul's salvation — are secured to you by an inalienable charter. He "who clothes the lily", who gives to the beast his food, and who listens to the young ravens when they cry, who opens His bountiful hand, and satisfies the desire of every living thing — He will surely care for you His child, and not fail to be present with His aid in your every exigency. Has it not been so in the past? Has He not interposed again and again on your behalf, when all human help seemed vain, and thus showed that man's extremity — is God's opportunity?
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