The Resistance - Day 16
Day 16: Monday, February 20
Read Matthew 6:19-34
Highlight
These verses represent a portion of Jesus’ famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’ that is focused on how people who are submitted to the leadership of Jesus should view certain aspects of their lives. In Jesus’ terminology, he is encouraging his followers to live the ways of the ‘Kingdom of God,’ in other words living as if under the reign and rule of King Jesus. This is important because Jesus is arguing that the reason that we shouldn’t worry is rooted in our faith in our Heavenly Father’s love and faithfulness.
This can be seen most clearly in Jesus’ gentle chastisement in verse 30, “...O you of little faith.” This comes at the end of Jesus pointing out how God’s providence and care can be seen in lesser things. If the Father’s care can be seen in so many other ways, how much more can we trust that our Father will care for us? According to Jesus, the root of anxiety is unbelief. We must address the spiritual root of our mental struggles.
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Let the passage challenge you as you reflect on it, but always cling to the full context of Scripture, which tells us that “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Praise God!
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Read Matthew 6:19-34
Highlight
These verses represent a portion of Jesus’ famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’ that is focused on how people who are submitted to the leadership of Jesus should view certain aspects of their lives. In Jesus’ terminology, he is encouraging his followers to live the ways of the ‘Kingdom of God,’ in other words living as if under the reign and rule of King Jesus. This is important because Jesus is arguing that the reason that we shouldn’t worry is rooted in our faith in our Heavenly Father’s love and faithfulness.
This can be seen most clearly in Jesus’ gentle chastisement in verse 30, “...O you of little faith.” This comes at the end of Jesus pointing out how God’s providence and care can be seen in lesser things. If the Father’s care can be seen in so many other ways, how much more can we trust that our Father will care for us? According to Jesus, the root of anxiety is unbelief. We must address the spiritual root of our mental struggles.
Reflection
Every passage in the Bible, including the one you just read, is “...inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Let the passage challenge you as you reflect on it, but always cling to the full context of Scripture, which tells us that “There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Praise God!
- What truth does this passage communicate about God? About us? About our world?
- Has God used this passage to highlight something that is wrong in your life?
- What does this passage teach us to do? What is one practical thing you can do to apply this to your life?
Prayer
Let the passage we just read guide your prayers. Use the acronym ACTS.
Adoration - Praise God for the truth this passage communicated about him.
Confession - Confess to God the thing that this passage showed you is wrong in your life.
Thanksgiving - Thank God for what this passage taught you was true about you and for the ways He is already helping you to do what is right.
Supplication - Ask God for help to do what this passage teaches to do and accomplish the good works he has for you.
Posted in The Resistance