Choosing Faith Over Worry - Matthew 6:25-32 And Matthew 6:33-34 Series

Choosing Faith Over Worry - Matthew 6:25-32 and Matthew 6:33-34

Introduction

Today, we’re diving into a powerful teaching from Jesus about worry, a struggle that affects so many of us. We all face moments of anxiety—whether it’s about finances, health, relationships, or the future. But Jesus tells us something radical in Matthew 6. He invites us to put our faith in God, reminding us that God is not only able to care for us but is willing to meet our needs as we seek Him first.

Our key verses for today are Matthew 6:25-32 and Matthew 6:33-34. Let’s read them together from the New Living Translation:

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.”

Then in verses 33-34, Jesus gives us the command and promise that wraps this all up:

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

1. Recognising Our Value in God’s Eyes

Jesus begins with a question in verse 25: “Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?” He’s drawing our focus to what truly matters. The Greek word for “worry” here, merimnao, literally means to be “divided” or “distracted.” Jesus is pointing out that worry divides our hearts, shifting our focus from God to the concerns of this life.

In verse 26, He illustrates this by pointing to the birds: “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” Birds don’t have anxious thoughts; they simply trust God’s provision. And Jesus wants us to see ourselves through God’s eyes. He calls us “far more valuable” than these creatures He faithfully sustains.

Isaiah 43:4 (NLT) says, “Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honoured, and I love you.” God treasures each one of us. We don’t need to strive for His love or worry about His care because we are precious to Him.

Imagine a child who knows they are deeply loved by their parents. They trust that they will be fed and clothed, that they don’t need to worry about tomorrow. In the same way, God is inviting us to rest in His love and care.

Timothy Keller once said, “Worry is not believing God will get it right, and bitterness is believing God got it wrong.” Worry stems from a lack of trust in God’s goodness, but knowing how deeply He values us enables us to let go of anxiety and embrace trust.

Take a moment to remind yourself of how precious you are to God. When worry starts to creep in, remember that you are worth far more to Him than anything else in creation. Rest in the knowledge that He values and cares for you deeply.

2. Trusting in God’s Provision

Jesus continues with the lilies of the field: “Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.” The lilies don’t labour or worry, yet God clothes them in splendour. Jesus is contrasting the temporary beauty of the lilies with the enduring care God has for us.

In verse 30, He says, “And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.” The term “thrown into the fire” refers to the short-lived nature of the flowers. Even for things that last a day, God pours out beauty and care. How much more, then, will He care for us, whom He has created in His image and redeemed through His Son?