WEDNESDAY: FILLED TO OVERFLOWING

Nov 30, 2022
2 min read

Lord, I desire to be constantly filled with Your righteousness, although worry gets in the way of that. Please wash away my worry with a laser focus on You and Your righteousness which will displace the worry in my heart.

Matthew 6:25, 28-34

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry…about your body, what you will wear.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed 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 fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

This is a lesson about finding direction and order for my body. The lesson yesterday helped me focus on seeking God’s kingdom; the lesson today is focused on seeking God’s righteousness.

While the kingdom of heaven is near in our hearts, we are clothed in God’s righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Just as I shouldn’t store value in things of this earth, I also shouldn’t labor for tomorrow by sacrificing being clothed in His righteousness today.

What does it mean to be clothed in righteousness? Isaiah 61:10 explains when I wear these clothes, I delight greatly in the Lord, and my soul rejoices in my God. That sounds like the clothing I want to wear!

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: When I seek first His righteousness, I demonstrate my faith in God. Faith overcomes worry. I might worry about tomorrow, but what if I find there is no tomorrow? I should focus on worshiping and praising God today. In fact, if there is anything to “worry” about, I should be concerned that I don’t spend enough time with Him.

Jesus said at the beginning of this sermon, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matt. 5:6). If His righteousness fills part of my heart, then my worry must occupy the part that is not filled.

Lord, please fill my heart today with Your righteousness; fill it to the brim, so there is no room for worry. When my heart is filled to overflowing with You, my desire to worship and praise You is greater than my desire to worry!

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman