Morning Devotional January 30, 2017

Philippians 4:6-7

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
The word “nothing” in the context that it is used here means to worry. So let's think on worry for a bit. O how we fall often into the sin of worry. But our Lord here warns us not to worry. Why does He warn us about worry? I will answer that with a question. Why should we worry?
In our busy, fast paced lives we live, we expect answers now. We have no patience. Our faith in God has become weak. Not of anything He has done. But because of our sin. We pray and expect an answer. And God says He will answer our prayers. But when we don't get the answer we expect or the answer doesn't come immediately we worry and fret. Yet our Heavenly Father tells us over and over in His Word to trust in Him.
Our worry comes from our fear of things not coming out the way we want or expect. Or just not knowing what is about to happen. Many times our worries are because we have not followed the Lord like we should and we worry what chastisement He will bring on us. Sometimes our worry is because we want answers now and don't want to wait on God's timing. And sometimes it is because we already know the Lord's answer but that answer was not what we wanted to hear.
If we would just follow the Lord and His commandments we would have no worries. Remember He told us He did not give us the spirit of fear? So if He did not give it to us there is only one other place it could come from. Satan comes subtly and many times as an angel of light. Putting thoughts of doubt and worry in our minds. Leading us astray from our Lord.
The answer for our worry? Resist the wiles of the devil. Pray without ceasing. Follow Christ and His commandments. Praise the Lord for His grace and mercy!!!
Praise ye the Lord!!!

Stephen McCool Sr.