Day 97

Deuteronomy 31:1–32:27; Luke 12:8-34; Psalm 78:32-55; Proverbs 12:21-23

IN DEUTERONOMY TODAY, we witnessed the transfer of power from Moses to Joshua. Under Joshua’s leadership, the children of Israel will soon cross the Jordan and finally enter the Promised Land. We also saw a proposed transfer of power in Luke’s Gospel.

“Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me,” a person yelled to Jesus as He taught a crowd of people (Luke 12:13). This launched Jesus into teaching about money and possessions.

“A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God,” Jesus said (Luke 12:21). He then explained Himself, revealing how our pursuit of money, or clothing, or food pulls us into a vortex of worry, one that most people live their lives spinning within. This should pique our attention, because things haven’t changed that much since Jesus answered the man’s question. We worry about how much money we have. We worry about looking fashionable. We can spend a whole hour just trying to decide where we’re going to eat dinner. These things, according to Jesus, are not all there is to life.

Jesus invited us to slow down and look around. Look at the birds. They aren’t worried, and yet they are cared for. Look at the flowers. As temporary as they are, they are a beautiful and necessary part of God’s creation.

“If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” Jesus asked (Luke 12:28).

The vortex of worry we continue to spin in isn’t getting us anywhere. It’s distracting us from our true source of life and provision. Or as Jesus said:

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

In all of this, Jesus was inviting us into freedom. But to get there, we must transfer the power and authority over our lives to God. I know you already know this. But knowing and doing are two different things. As we settle into this new month, let’s commit ourselves to doing for the rest of the month. Let’s not worry. Let’s have faith. Let’s trust. And while we’re doing that, let’s remember Jesus’ closing remarks in this teaching:

Your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

MEDITATION:

I will proclaim the name of the LORD; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!