Beyond Worry: Resting in God’s Providence

After his exposition of the meaning of the believers' true investment, Rev. Sang Ho Bae explained that only faith in God's providence will set us free from anxiety.

Jesus’ command in the Sermon on the Mount, “Do not worry” (Matt. 6:25), is not merely a word of comfort but shows how the people of God are to view and live in the world. The Lord teaches that being consumed by our most basic needs—what we will eat, drink, and wear—is itself unbelief that fails to trust God.

The Lord says, “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (Matt. 6:25). If God has given life, He will also supply the food needed to sustain that life. If the Creator has given the greater, giving the lesser is never difficult for Him. Calvin emphasizes in the Institutes that “God, as our Father, knows what we need, and His providence never abandons us.” Therefore, worry is not discernment that faces reality but the fruit of unbelief that doubts God’s good providence.

Jesus tells us to look at the birds of the air: “They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matt. 6:26). Birds enjoy the provision God has prepared without worrying. Reformed theology calls the providence of God revealed in nature “common grace.” God has given not only believers but all creatures the ability and environment necessary to live. If God feeds even the small birds, will He not much more give what is needed to us, His children?

However, the Lord’s command “Do not worry” does not mean that we should not work. Scripture says, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread” (Gen. 3:19) and commands, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). Diligence is a virtue belonging to the created order, and laziness is a vice condemned in Scripture. Proverbs tells us to learn wisdom from the ant. Therefore, the Lord’s teaching does not forbid preparing for tomorrow but forbids exhausting our hearts with worry in the process of preparing.

Jesus then tells us to consider the lilies of the field: “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?” (Matt. 6:30). Grass is insignificant, yet God clothes even that small plant with beauty. The Lord’s point is that if God carefully cares for creatures that seem worthless, how much more will He care for the lives of believers who are made in His image and redeemed by the blood of Christ.

The Lord goes on to say, “For the Gentiles seek after all these things” (Matt 6:32). The Gentiles, who have no Father to rely on, cannot but worry, because they must provide for their own livelihood. But believers have God as their Father. “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matt. 6:32). God knows our needs and is the Father who takes responsibility for our lives. Therefore, when believers exhaust their hearts over food, drink, and clothing, it is unbelief that fails to trust the Father’s love.

The Lord sets the priority of the believer’s life by saying, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). To “seek His kingdom and His righteousness” means living not by the standards of this world but by the laws of God’s kingdom—that is, living according to God’s Word. To those who seek a life aligned with God’s will, God adds what they need. When Solomon sought wisdom above all else to govern the people entrusted to him, God granted not only wisdom but also wealth and honor. When the Puritans placed worship as the highest priority of life, God poured abundant grace upon them and their descendants. God adds blessing to those who put Him first.

Not worrying is not an evasion of reality but an expression of trust in God. God does not allow His children to face trials beyond what they can bear, and when they are tested, He also provides a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13). Scripture is filled with accounts of God opening a way out when His people faced danger. These accounts were written to give today’s believers comfort and assurance so that we do not lose heart. Therefore, those who believe God as their God and Father do not fear tomorrow. The God who cared for His people in the past—unchanging forever—will surely care for His children today as well.

For the AI-generated song version of this article, check Seek First The Kingdom.