Read: Matthew 6:33 and 7:24-27

Consider: Jesus concluded the Sermon on the Mount by telling us that the words we read in this sermon are foundational words. They are words that will determine our future. If we build on them we are building on something solid and lasting, something that will pass the test of time and endure the storms that come. But if we read these words and do not “put them into practice” the storms will overtake us and leave us shattered.

One of those foundational stones is found in 6:33…

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…”

This “first” is a first of priority. Jesus is inviting us to give his kingdom—his way of life—the top place in our own lives. It is to define us.

The second half of that sentence reads…

“…and all these things will be given to you as well.” (6:33)

He not only asks us to follow him. He asks us to trust him. This week we’re looking at the radical trust that is called for in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. To put him first requires a level of trust that we have never given to anyone or anything. It won’t come easy. But, in partnership with him, it is possible to trust him so much that you can put him first in your life and you can do it without fear of tomorrow.

Pray: “I trust you, Lord. Help me this week to grow in my trust and confidence in you. Thank you that you can be trusted with my life.”

Tuesday, February 9

Read: Matthew 6:25-32

Consider: The literal translation of “do not worry about your life” (6:25) is “do not be anxious about your life” or “have no anxiety about your life.” Mental health and religious leaders have puzzled and discussed at length why it is that anxiety seems to be so much more prevalent today than in days past. Perhaps it is. Perhaps it isn’t. (Maybe we’re just much more aware of it today.) But it sure seems like huge numbers of us are struggling with daily anxiety.

It is dangerous and wrong to put forth simplistic answers to the problem of anxiety. For many it stems from physical and chemical issues within the body. Many who suffer greatly from anxiety have not chosen it and are certainly not suffering due to lack spirituality or to disobedience to God. But in this passage we do read that God does not want us to live in a constant state of worry. He wants peace in our lives. Not the kind of peace that is dependent upon circumstances, but the kind of peace that is based upon trust in him regardless of our circumstances.

So wherever we are at in our lives, we need to examine ourselves on this issue of trust. Am I taking upon myself the responsibility for what God wants to supply? Am I convinced that my peace comes from my circumstances or do I really believe that trusting him could give me peace in the midst of the storm? Do I believe that life is “more important than food, and the body more important than clothes” (6:25)? Do I believe that he can and will supply my needs?

For those who suffer from clinical depression or anxiety it is important to get help. There is no more shame in taking medication to increase your level of serotonin than there is in taking medication for diabetes or high blood pressure. Medication is a gift from God when used correctly. But let’s also not neglect the spiritual aspect. Jesus calls us to put away anxiety by building our trust in him.

What can you do today to develop that trust? How can you cooperate with God to grow in your trust of him, his goodness and his provision?

Pray: “Lord, teach me to trust in you.”

Wednesday, February 10

Read: Matthew 6:33-34

Consider: What does it look like to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (6:33)? Well, it begins with getting our eyes off of ourselves.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.” (6:25)

What if we shifted that? Instead of worrying about ourselves and our own needs, what if we spent that energy on the needs of others? I believe that to be concerned about what other people will eat and what they will wear—that is, caring for the poor—is seeking first the kingdom of God.

And, of course, we all know that this works. When we get our eyes off of ourselves and focus on supplying the needs of others our gratitude grows, our peace is deepened, our anxiety diminishes and our love flourishes. We know this to be true. Yet we continually get sucked back into worrying about ourselves and our tomorrows.

Here’s something we can to today—right now. Pray for your own needs. That is good. We’re supposed to take our needs and concerns before the Lord. But don’t spend too much time doing that. Instead, take the emotional and spiritual energy that you would normally use to pray for yourself and direct your prayers to God for others. Take the passion that you have to pray for your own finances, career, hopes, and dreams and direct it toward praying for the finances, careers, hopes and dreams of people you know and love. Lift up to God the people you know who are hurting around you. Pray for Haiti. Pray for peace. I believe this is one way to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” The result will be increased peace because of his promise that “all these things will be given to you as well.”

Pray: Pray for yourself briefly. Spend time in prayer for others. In prayer today “seek first his kingdom” as you understand it.

Thursday, February 11

Read: Matthew 7:7-11

Consider: We would do anything and everything that is humanly possible to give our children those things that they need for a happy and healthy life. We would sacrifice our own desires to fulfill their needs. We would certainly never withhold food, shelter, clothing, medicine and security from our children. We cannot even fathom doing that. We would move heaven and hell to save the lives of our children.

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (7:11)

Do we really believe in and trust in the fatherhood of God?

Pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9-13)

Friday, February 12

Read: Matthew 6:19-24

Consider: Part of our growth in learning to trust God involves learning not to trust other things. We are so tempted to think that our peace, our security and our joy will come from the things we possess and the things we can control. Jesus showed the folly of misplaced trust by simply reminding us that these are the things that “moth and rust destroy, and…thieves break in and steal” (6:19).

In the great recession that our country (and most of the world) is experiencing people are increasingly coming to realize that there is no security in their jobs or their income or their property. Therefore, many have determined that there is no such thing as security. As Christians we disagree. We are not immune to layoffs, illness, foreclosure or any of the other frightening things that have crashed our world. But we still believe in security.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior…” (2 Samuel 22:2-3)

As we take our allegiance away from the gods of this world (Matthew 6:24) and refuse to trust in them (Matthew 6:20-21), we go further down the road toward radical trust in Jesus.

Pray: “Lord, today I choose not to ‘serve two masters’ or to even look toward other gods for security, peace and joy. I choose to find my peace, my hope, my joy and my security in you.”

Saturday, February 13

Read: Mark 9:14-29

Consider: This is one of my favorite passages on faith. To me the climax of this compelling narrative comes in the simple admission and request of a desperate father…

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (9:24)

That’s not a bad prayer. The more we ask God for faith, the more we cooperate with him to increase our faith and our trust.

What makes this such a fascinating story is Jesus’ two diverse responses to the lack of faith. With the disciples he seemed frustrated, even angry…

“O unbelieving generation, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?” (8:19)

Yet, in response to the panicked father who was low on faith, Jesus simply healed his son. Why the difference? Perhaps the disciples had seen so much that their faith should have been stronger. Perhaps they were faking it—acting like they had enough faith to deliver the child when, in fact, they did not. I may not understand the exact reason for Jesus’ two responses, but I know who I want to be like. I want to be like the man who brought the faith to Jesus that he had, but was willing to admit the poverty of his spirit. I want to humbly come before God and tell him I believe, but ask him to help me grow to become stronger in my faith and trust him more. I want my faith to grow into radical trust—the kind Jesus described in the Sermon on the Mount.

Pray: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

For small group discussion questions, click here.