Matthew 6:31-33 says, "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Our Lord Jesus listed down three necessities that we must have in order for us to survive: food, water, and clothes. Our bodies need nutrients to sustain the different organs that we have, so our bodies need food. Additionally, our bodies are composed of 60% to 75% water, and so our bodies constantly need refilling of water. Lastly, our bodies need covering not only for modesty but also for harsh weather. All of us are concerned about food, water, and clothes because they relate to our survivability. They relate to our sense of security. For example, we work so that we can buy food, water, and clothes. We may not feel we are desperately in need of these things in the US because of the abundant resources we have, but if we step out of this country and go to poor countries, we will feel the desperate need for these things. Our Lord Jesus is encouraging us that if we care about our survivability, we must seek Him first. He is our ultimate provider of food, water, and clothes. Our Lord Jesus is our security.
Our security in our Lord Jesus produces peace in our hearts, and our peace in our hearts produces joy. Interestingly, we are all seeking security, peace, and joy, and our Lord Jesus is the only one who can provide all of these things. So, if we want to have security, peace, and joy in our hearts in 2025, we must seek or pursue God above all else. The above verse says that if we seek or pursue God first and live righteously, God will provide all these things that we need and long for. The best New Year resolution always is to pursue God above everything that we desire. In 2025, I want to encourage us to pursue God first by praying, reading the Word of God, going to church, engaging in the fellowship of other believers, serving our God, and doing our daily devotion to help us stay focused on God throughout the year.
Many things can happen in 2025, but as long as we pursue God and live righteously, we will be secure in God and will have joy and peace in our hearts.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) How does the devotion for today fit into my New Year resolution for 2025? What does the Bible say about having security, peace, and joy? How can I have security, peace, and joy in 2025?
Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for blessing me to add another year to my life. I pray that in 2025, I will pursue you above all else and live righteously, for you are my God and ultimate provider. I am confident that no matter what happens in 2025, you will always be with me and will take care of me. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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