August 13

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. Matthew 6:34.

There can be no doubt that much valuable time is squandered in needless worry. A great many people worry much about the future, saying: "What shall we eat?" or, "What shall we drink?" or, "Wherewithal shall we be clothed?" They worry about all that we generally understand by daily bread. This makes their lives sad and sorrowful.

The Lord tells us: "Take no thought for the morrow." Jesus is concerned, not only with our spiritual, but also with our bodily welfare. He would like to see us free from cares and troubles in this life. He means to say: Why do you want to make yourselves miserable by seeing future troubles? Why load down your souls with the cares and fears that belong to another day? Why be your own tormentors and make your life in this world still darker and more unpleasant than it already is by thinking of imaginary troubles, troubles which perhaps will never come? And even if they should come, is it not bad enough to have to bear them when they are here? Why worry beforehand and make each day more burdensome than necessary by carrying the troubles of yesterday into the cares for to-morrow? "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." It is foolish and heathenish to torture ourselves with care for the future.

Therefore, away with these cares! Trust in God, who had His beloved Son Jesus Christ die for your sins. Believe in His Word and promise that He will not leave thee nor forsake thee. And thus you will always be able to say: "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." "Cast thy burden upon the Lord," the psalmist says. And 1 Peter 5:7 you are admonished to "cast all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." Cast all your care upon Him if you would enjoy blessedness unshadowed in the future. "He careth for you." If there is any caring to be done, He will do it. In all our troubles He cares for us, and He makes them work together for our eternal good.

Prayer.

O Lord God, let Thy blessing — on which all depends — ever attend our efforts, so that we may bring them to a successful issue,

without impairing the interests of others, in order that our substance may be devoted to Thy honor and that the members of our family be provided for. Cause Thy blessing, we pray Thee, to increase as time goes on; bless our basket and our store. O Lord, shut out from our hearts all care and worry; grant that we may trust in Thee alone and never doubt Thy promise. Make our hearts glad and our faces joyful; grant us health, life, and success. To Thee we commit our way; we trust also in Thee; Thou wilt bring it to pass. O Lord, we praise Thee. Amen.

We praise Thee with the dawning day, To Thee at even also pray; With our poor song we worship Thee Now, ever, and eternally.