“Today, some Christians are content to merely exist until they die. They don’t want to risk anything, to believe God, to grow or mature. They refuse to believe his Word, and have become hardened in their unbelief. Now they’re living just to die.”
– David Wilkerson
Unbelief cannot go unchecked; it must be battled. Unbelief causes us to limit God’s goodness, power, love, and grace. It keeps us from fully trusting God and therefore steals the joy we have in serving Him. Just like any other sin, we cannot sit idly by as unbelief takes root in our hearts. We must fight against it! The question is, “how do we do that?” In Matthew 6, Jesus gives us seven specific promises to equip us for this fight.
Promise 1: God’s Ability is Greater than Your Need
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” Matthew 6:25 (ESV)
Jesus’ is providing a poignant reminder that God is the sustainer of your life.
Your life is far more complex than food or clothing, so there is no question. He is able and willing to provide beyond what you need.
Promise 2: You are Valuable to God
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:26 (ESV)
God loves the birds, and you are way more valuable than birds.
Promise 3: Anxiety Accomplishes Nothing Worthwhile
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” Matthew 6:27 (ESV)
This promise is a reality check: anxiety will never do you any good. Don’t forget that.
Promise 4: God Has an Endless Supply of Creative Care
“And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:28–30 (ESV)
God has an overflow of creative energy and care, so you can count on the fact that he never runs short on energy or creative skill to care for the needs of His children who will live for eternity!
Promise 5: God will Supply for Your Need at Just the Right Time
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” Matthew 6:31–32 (ESV)
God knows what you need better than you do, and He will act to supply your need at just the right time!
Promise 6: He will Make Sure You have all You Need to Do His Will
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
If you give yourself fully to the cause of the Kingdom, rather than agonizing over your material needs, He will make sure you have all that you need.
Promise 7: Every Day will have Mercies Sufficient for the Day’s Stress
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34 (ESV)
The Message version says it this way, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34
Let me ask you this, are you living for God, or are you living to die? Is your unbelief hindering you from trusting God, listening to God, or serving God? If so, make the decision today to walk in these promises. Don’t let your unbelief keep you from what God has for you!