Devotionals
Devotional series by the Crossroads Church Staff
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Stephen Ibach
Creative Director
Take No Thought
Matthew 6:25, 31-34 (KJV)
“25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
“Take no thought for your life.” I could sum up what this section of scripture means to me right there, right now. There have been countless sermons taught and messages preached on, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God,” but very few have I heard of, “Take not thought.”
This is what I am meditating on, and yes, meditation is a kingdom thing, a godly thing. Meditation has become a word in western culture that may bring up feelings or fears of new age mysticism, but let’s put this section of scripture into action quickly and take no thought to that idea, because the word meditate and the concept of meditation is throughout scripture. Western culture seems to shy away from the idea of meditation. I’m sure the reasons are many, but some may be because of the sheer amount of advancement, production, and excess we find in the west. Meditation begins to feel meaningless; like a waste of time. However, Matthew 6:25-34 tells us precisely the opposite and this is precisely why it is important to meditate on all scripture and in particular, “take no thought;” take no thought for your life and even just taking no thought.
In order to have a chance at, “seek first the kingdom of God,” we must come to a place where we take no thought. Why else would it say it 3 times in this section of scripture? “But what does that look like? How does that actually work? I don’t understand! How do I seek the kingdom of God if I cannot think?”
Keep asking questions. Any question. All questions. Because once we come to the end of our questions, we have finally begun the journey of taking no thought. The point is to take no thought. The purpose is to empty ourselves and open our hands; then the kingdom of God and God Himself will be sought and found, when we seek with all our heart (Jeremiah 29:13).
Take one minute and slow your breath and as you breathe in and out, speak the scripture as a prayer between you and God. After you feel you are finished, wrap up your prayer time and know God is with you and the kingdom of God has come near.
Prayer and Practice
- (Breathe in) I submit my thoughts to Your ear Father
- (Breathe out) For I seek Your kingdom
Father, I have many questions. Some questions I’ve asked my entire life. Some are new. Some You have brought answers to. Some You have yet to. Some You may choose not to. Help me Father. I know you hear me. As I ask and seek and knock, I know You are here with me as I empty myself, as I surrender, and as I open my hands to You Father God.