Daily devotional · February 18
Birds, Flowers and Tomorrow
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.”
Jesus points to birds that do not store grain and flowers that do not sew their own clothes, and asks his listeners whether they are not worth more. He is not mocking planning; the Bible praises diligence. He is addressing the kind of worry that adds nothing to our lives and steals the present. Then he offers a rhythm: seek first God's kingdom, and take each day as it comes, because each day has enough trouble of its own. Today, try practicing this. Write down what you are worried about, then circle the one thing you can actually act on today and do it. Leave the rest in prayer. If your anxiety feels heavy or constant, that is not a lack of faith; it is a good reason to speak with a doctor, counselor or pastor, and Jesus would want you to have that help.
Prayer
Lord, You care for the birds and for me. Take my worries and give me peace for today. Amen.

