Topic: STOP THE WORRIES – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 19 October 2021 [The Redeemed Evangelical Mission]

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STOP THE WORRIES

“Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” Matthew 6:31 KJV

In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus spoke about how God cares for the lilies of the field and the fowls of the air: “…take no thought saying, what shall we eat? Or what shall we drink?” He was saying in essence: “Stop worrying! Are you saying that I am only worth food and clothing? I am bigger than that!” Everything you need is already taken care of.

When Ruth got to Bethlehem-Judah and went out to work, she only got one bag of barley after much toiling and sweating; that would last for only 10 days. But when Naomi told her to go and rest at the feet of Boaz, the outcome was different.  When she took the position of rest, she got 6 bags that would last for 60 days. In fact, the Bible says that Boaz told his servants that Ruth was not to gather grains from the corner. He brought her from the corner to the center stage. Then he told his young men who were harvesting to deliberately drop some harvested crops for Ruth so she can pick them. This was because she came to a position of rest. So, she did not need to struggle again to pick. She was collecting what she did not work for. You will collect your portion!

Don’t forget that Ruth was a Moabite- a person without covenant. If she was that blessed, how much more you a covenant child? By the time all is said and done, Boaz took her case personally and began to speak for her. She did not need to speak for herself. She eventually became the owner of the field where she had rested.

God doesn’t intend for his people to go around worrying. That was why David said “he maketh me to lie down (a state of rest) in green pasture, he leadeth me beside still (not troubled) waters” (Psalm 23:2). You can enjoy the blessing only in the place of rest. Stop toiling and stop the worries!

Further Reading: Ruth 2:1-17, 3:1-15

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Isaiah 56-58; Evening- 2 Thessalonians 2