Matthew 6:26
-Jesus says we are not to live in worry or anxiety about the basic needs of life-Living to serve God includes trusting Him to provide what we need- We are valuable and worth so much to God our Heavenly father... If he provides for the birds, He will provide for us, His children-God is faithful and provides-God will provide what we need at just the right time-Life is worth so more than just storing away earthly things and possessions - the birds do not store away food and yet they are provided for all year round-God sees me and my needs-He knows all my needs
We need to focus on my relationship with God, letting go of anxieties around material things, trusting that God will take care of them.
We need to remember that when anxieties arise about daily necessities, that GOD cares for the birds and remind ourself that we am more valuable to God.
PRAY
Father you have poured out your blessings into my life so richly. Forgive me when I worry about the things that are not important, especially the material things that distract me from you. I do believe you will provide all I need, as I seek your will, your face and your kingdom.
Amen x
TRANSLATIONS
The Message – "look at the birds, free and un-fettered, not tied down to job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds"
TPT – "Consider the birds-do you think they worry about their existence? They don't plant or reap or store up food, yet your heavenly Father provides them each with food. Arnt you much more valuable to your father than they?"
KJV – "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sew not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"
Living Bible – " Look at the Birds! They do not worry about what to eat – they don't need to sew or reap or store up food – for your heavenly father feeds them. And are you far more valuable to him than they"
Gen Z Bible – " Check out the birds in the sky: they don't plant or harvest or put food away in storage, but your heavenly dad takes care of them. Arnt you way more important than they are?"
The birds of the earth are living free without cares or worries
I am worth so much more to God than the birds
God Provides
The birds do not store up
God is our father
I am important to God
WHO WROTE IT?
Matthew the tax collector who became a disciple of Jesus ?
WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN?
The last quarter of the first century
WHY WAS IT WRITTEN?
This chapter and verse is part of the sermon on the mount.
WHO WAS IT FOR?
Jesus gave the sermon on the mount for his followers. It was about Gods kingdom and his Love.
ANY SIGNIFFICAT EVENTS SURROUNDING IT?
Following the sermon on the mount Jesus healed a man with leprosy.
Jesus healed a soldier's servant by just speaking the words because the soldier believed
Jesus healed peters mother-in-law from fever by touching her hand
Jesus continued healing many who were sick and possessed
Jesus was on a boat sleeping. His disciples were awake and afraid of the storm. Jesus calmed the storm asking his disciples why they were afraid
KEY WORDS AND MEANINGS
1. "WORRIED"
The definition is to be WORRIED, ANXIOUS OR CONSERNED
The Greek word is "MERMIANO"
The origin of the word comes from 2 words - " MERIZO" - which means to divide, and "NOUS" which means mind.
2."PROVIDER"
The definition is TO SUPPLY or MAKE AVAILABLE
God called JEHOVA JERIAH in the bible
The word/name JEHOVA JIRAH is Hebrew for the Lord will provide, or the Lord will see to it
3. "FATHER"
The definition is A MAN IN RELATION TO HIS CHILD
The Aramac word for father is "ABBA"
The Greek word for father is "PATAR"
The Hebrew word for father is "AV"
THE WORD IS OF ARAMAIC ORIGIN and is used as a word of intimacy, endearment,
To express obedience. Biblically to describe our relationship with God4."VALUABLE"
The definition is of a great price, precious, esteemed, especially dear
The Greek word for valuable is "timos"
TIMOS COMES FROM THE GREEK WORD TIME – Which means HONOUR or VALUE
CROSS REFERENCE;
MATTHEW 10:29:31 – Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your father. But even the hairs on your head are numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
LUKE 12:24 – Consider the ravens they neither sew nor reap, they have neither store houses or barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest. Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil or spin, yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he cloth you, O you of little faith.
PSALM 145:15-16 – The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand: you satisfy the desires of every living thing.
PSALM 104:27-28 – These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them they gather it up; when you open your hand they are filled with good things.
MATTHEW 6:32 – For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly father knows that you need them all
BIBLE VERSES ABOUT WORRY
Philippians 4:6
Psalm 55:22
Matthew 6:34
2 Timothy 1:7
BIBLE VERSES ABOUT PROVIDER
Matthew 7:11
Genesis 22
Philippians 4:19
2 Corinthians 9:8
BIBLE VERSES ABOUT BEING VALUABLE TO GOD
Isaiah 43:4
Ephesians 1:4
Jeremiah 31:3
John 3:16
BIBLE VERSES ABOUT FATHER
1 John 3:1
Isaiah 63:16
Words that stood out from the verses:
Do not be anxious - Heavenly father gives good gifts - God will supply all your needs
He shall sustain thee – Have all sufficiency in all things at all times -
Do not worry about tomorrow – We should be called sons of God –
Power – Lord you are our father - We are precious and honoured in Gods sight
Love – God chose us in him before the foundation of the world
I am loved with an everlasting Love – For God so loved the World
VIEW OF GOD
God is a loving and attentive provider who cares for all of creation, even the smallest creatures like the birds, and that because of this; humans, who are considered more valuable than birds, can trust God to provide for their needs without worrying, highlighting Gods faithfulness and abundant provision for his children
VIEW OF MAN
GOD CARES FOR ALL CREATION – By mentioning how God feeds the birds, the verse illustrates that God cares for all living things, not just humans.
TRUST IN GODS PROVISION – The analogy of birds not needing to worry about food encourages people to trust that God will provide for them as well.
HUMAN VALUE IN GOD'S EYES –
The question "Are you not of more value than they?" emphasizes that humans are especially precious to God.
ADDRESSING ANXIETY – This verse teaches against worry and anxiety about basic needs
GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF MY NEEDS ONE DAY AT A TIME
REFLECTION AND APLICATION
The first thing I noticed was the Greek work for worried - "MERIMANO" which comes from the two Greek words "MERIZO" – which means to "divide" and "NOUS£ which means "mind"
God is saying in this verse he wants me to have a sound mind and not to be worried or anxious.
The verse is telling me God is my father who will supply all my needs.
He is my provider; he is the provider for all he has created, and I am more valuable to God than the bird. I need to trust in Gods provision and timing.
He is my father who loves me with an everlasting love and wants to care for all my needs.
I need to trust God to supply for and meet my needs just as the birds who do not worry or become anxious.
In the sermon on the mount in Matthew 6:26 Jesus is telling me to trust God to provide for all I truly need.
I need to trust God's plan and timing even when I don't fully understand it.
APLICATION-
- I could take time to observe birds and other creatures in nature reflecting on how God takes care of them
- Look at and reflect on areas of my life where I worry about provision
- Pray for the strength to trust Gods provision in areas that cause me worry and anxiety
- Acknowledge and appreciate the blessings and provisions God has already provided in my life
- While trusting God, I still need to be responsible with my finances and resources
- When feeling anxious remind myself of scripture that speaks of God's LOVE, CARE and PROVISION over me.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
You are the creator of all things, you care for me so deeply with an everlasting Love. I am your precious child who is so valuable to you. If you cloth the lilies and feed the birds of the air, How much more will you provide and care for me. You know all the things I need before I even speak them out loud to you, and you want to bless my life.
Lord, help me today to fully trust your provision and timing and I'm sorry for all the times I have doubt and worry and hold on to these instead of fully trusting you.
Father, help me to release my worries and anxieties about my daily needs over to you, Help me to rely on your faithfulness, to meet all my needs and not to worry about today or tomorrow.
Amen