READ: Matthew 6 (Focus vs. 25-34)
MEMORY VERSE
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” Matthew 6:26
BACKGROUND
“AaaaAAAAHHHK!” my daughter shrieked. “DaaaaDDDYY! Get UP here!”
I knew what was wrong: a moth. Every spring, an armada of these dusty insects migrates from the plains of Nebraska to the mountains of Colorado, where they summer. Each year, we brace for their arrival. This year had been especially bad.
To humans, miller moths are unwanted pests that often fly right into your face. But to birds, well, it’s a feast.
Doing a little research, I learned that the moths provide incredible nutrition for the region’s swallows. As annoying as they are, these moths are veritable “manna” for the birds.I don’t know if Israel had moth migrations in Jesus’ day.
But Christ took note of God’s provision for the birds there, saying in the Sermon on the Mount, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26).
So these days, I look at moths differently. Not as dirty pests but as winged reminders of God’s provision for His creation—and as a living metaphor for His provision for me too. If God provides so richly for the swallows, how much more does He care for me and for you?
Adam R. Holtz
INSIGHT
Three times in Matthew 6, Jesus counsels His hearers about money and material possessions.
First, He addresses giving to the poor, advising us to give discreetly “so that your giving may be in secret” (v. 4). Then He cautions against hoarding: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” (v. 19), adding, “You cannot serve both God and money” (v. 24).
In today’s reading, Christ notes the futility of fretting about our daily needs: “Do not worry about your life” (v. 25). God’s care for creation reminds us that He’s good, and we can trust Him to provide for us (v. 26).
Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
How do you see God’s provision for creation where you live? How might that serve as a reminder of His care for you too?*
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“God’s care for creation reminds us that He’s good, and we can trust Him to provide for us.”
PR’s TAKE
“Rest assured that the Lord, who daily provides for the millions of fish in the sea and the myriads of birds in the air will not suffer His own children to perish for lack of the things of this life.” Charles Spurgeon
PRAYER
“Father, the beauty of Your provision is ever on display. Thank You for the richness of Your creation. Please give me eyes to see Your handiwork, and let it remind me of Your goodness.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL”
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
Al things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flow’r that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.
All things bright and beautiful…
The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.
All things bright and beautiful…
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden:
He made them every one.
All things bright and beautiful…
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
Al things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
