Daily Devotional For Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Today, we come to a question asked by Jesus in Luke 12:25, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (ESV). Do you ever feel anxious? The Greek New Testament word translated as “anxious” is [μεριμνάω, merimnao]. It means “to be worried, to be troubled with cares, to have your mind distracted.” Jesus brought attention to Martha having her mind distracted due to worry in Luke 10:41, Jesus said to Martha, “But the Lord answered her, `Martha, Martha, you are anxious  [μεριμνάω, merimnao] and troubled about many things” (ESV). This Greek New Testament word is the most commonly used in the New Testament. 

There is another word that is translated once in the New Testament as worry. It is found in Luke 12:29. It is this word [μετεωρίζω, meteorizo]. Pastor and author Chuck Swindoll writes this:

“This word means “to be up in the air” or “to be suspended in space.” We might say that someone who is so preoccupied with worry has “spaced out.” This is where we get our English word meteor.  Jesus pointed to two issues that keep us worried. First, we fret over matters that are not our responsibility (12:23–24). Stop and think of the hours you spend focusing on food and clothing, the most basic bodily needs. 

Jesus didn’t say not to pay any attention at all to these things; we are commanded to work in order to eat (2 Thes. 3:10–12). There’s nothing wrong with dressing attractively. It’s not more spiritual to walk around looking like an unmade bed. But the answer is not to focus too much on where the next meal is coming from or on keeping current with the style of the minute. God takes care of birds; He’ll take even better care of people who rely upon Him.

Second, we fuss over what we cannot change (Luke 12:25–26). The meaning of the phrase “add a single hour to his life’s span” is disputed. The word rendered “hour” can measure either time or length.   p 363  It’s frequently used of a cubit, a measurement of roughly 18 inches. The word translated “life span” can mean either “stature” or “maturity.” Therefore, “add a single hour to his life’s span” is just as likely to be “add a single cubit to his stature.” Most translations choose the former because adding 18 inches to one’s height doesn’t seem like something most people would want.

While taking reasonable care of our bodies may help to extend physical life, worry can only shorten physical life. God, in His sovereignty, has marked the date of our death, and we’ll live not a day shorter if we trust in Him” (Source: Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary, “Luke,” p. 362).

Know any worry warts? God is very clear in His Word that we are not to worry. Why? Worry is an emotion or feeling that leads us to believe God is either not big enough to help us or He will not help us. Both views are wrong.

Proverbs 12:25 says this, “Anxiety (worry) in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (ESV). This verse speaks the truth about what worry does to us. In our American culture, most people worry about their health or their wealth. If you just look around, you’ll see that “health” is a big worry to people. It is now a multi-billion dollar industry fueled by vitamin stores, gyms, obsessive exercise, supplements, and medicines. We should take care of our bodies, so that we can live healthier and long to serve God’s purpose for our lives. But for many, their health has become an idol. They go way beyond just being concerned for their health and how their body looks. They get obsessed with it.

Worry is a sin according to Scripture. Worry says, “Since God doesn’t have this, I have to turn to something or someone else to fix this problem.” Science and medicine have proven that worry does not lengthen one’s life; it shortens it. Jesus, who was not a doctor but who did create the human body reminds us of this in His question. The Greek New Testament word translated as “hour” is [πῆχυς, pechus]. This is typically translated as “cubit.” In Jesus’ day a cubit was measured from that part of the arm between the hand and the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. Meaning— about 18 inches or 1.5 feet. Worry is very destructive to health and well-being. Since we cannot add even an hour to our life, which is a little thing, why should we worry about other matters such as food and clothing?

The Bible says this about worry:

• Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious (worry) about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (ESV). 
• 1 Peter 5:7 says this, “Casting all your anxieties (worries) on Him, because He cares for you” (ESV).
• Matthew. 6:25-34, Jesus said this, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious (worry) about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (26) Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (27) And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (28) And why are you anxious (worry) about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, (29) yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (30) But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith. (31) Therefore do not be anxious (worry), saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ (32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (34) “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (ESV).
• John 14:1, Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me” (ESV).
• Psalm 94:19, “When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul” (ESV).
• Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” (ESV).

Questions To Consider

1. What do you tend to worry about in life and why?
2. Why do you think we tend to resort to worry rather than worship?
3. If someone asked you, “Do you trust God?,” if you do, why does your trust morph into worry? 
4. When you do worry, what do you tend to utilize to comfort you with your worry and why?
5. Worry is a sign you do not trust God. If God were to stand right in front of you, what would you tell Him as to why you do not trust Him?

Scripture To Meditate On: 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (ESV).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, I have to admit that there are times I worry. I am quick to tell others they can trust You, but I sometimes fail at this myself. I understand that worry diminishes when I worship You. I know that worry goes out the back door when faith comes in the front door. Worry occurs because I do not know You to the depth I need to know You, Lord. The problem is not You God. The problem is me. I commit to deepening my relationship with You so that I will be less and less of a worry wart and hopefully, one day soon, I’ll never worry. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!”

I love you Southside!—Pastor Kelly