Good morning and a blessed Thursday morning to you. 

The new year is still rather fresh, isn't it? But here's a question. Do you find that the challenges or problems that you had at the end of 2024 perhaps just carried into 2025?  When the ball drops in Times Square on New Year's Eve, signaling that new Year, there's that moment where the new year is fresh. But the reality, is that the problems and the challenges that we faced a minute before midnight just carry on into the new year, don't they? 

Here's another question. What were you worried about at the end of 2024 that you're worried about in 2025? And how about another question? What's at the heart of a worry? Let's hear what Jesus has to say on the subject.

Verse 25 of Matthew, sixth chapter. Jesus said, "therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you'll eat, or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds, at the air. They either sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"

He highlights the absolute futility of worry. Verse 27... "And can any of you, by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" He goes on, verse 28 "And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, 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. But if God so clothes the grass of the field which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you? You of little faith?"

Well, what's the little faith about? Well...little faith in God's provision, isn't it?  He then goes on to say, "Therefore do not worry, saying, what will we eat? Or what will we drink? Or what will we wear? For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things. And indeed your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."

The Gentiles here in this reference is understood as unbelievers. Jesus is saying, don't worry, I'm in control, I will provide. At the heart of worry is doubt. Doubt over God's sovereignty and his provision. At the heart of worry is doubt. Doubt over God's sovereignty and also his provision. And God provides a replacement for worry. We continue on verse 33 "But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." Strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. In our baptism we are already made part of the kingdom of God.

Jesus has borne our sin on the cross. The tomb is empty. The sacrifice has been accepted and God has called us as his own. He's called us as children through the waters of baptism. Through the baptismal wonders we are already a member of the kingdom of God. Jesus is calling us here to strive after the kingdom of God in the sense of seeking God's reign and God's rule over absolutely every area of our lives and also to live by his grace in the righteousness that is already ours.

Instead of worry, instead of doubting his sovereignty and his provision, the replacement. Strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness. All these things will be given to you. As for 2025, the days are still fresh and each day we know of God's sovereignty and provision.

Jesus says don't worry. Let's take him up on that call. And by his grace, trust that he's in control. He is sovereign and he provides. 

Thank you gracious Lord, for this time in your Word. For your Word is truth. We thank you O Lord, for your sovereignty, your control, your provision. Thank you Lord that we can live in that grace each and every day. In Jesus name. Amen. 

God bless you. Encourage someone.

Pastor Eibel