Words of Grace – Feb. 11, 2016

“Be careful.” How many times have we heard those words? In these modern times, to be careful means to take care of yourself by being watchful and cautious.

In times past, however, being careful had a different meaning.  It meant to be full of care.  That is why, in Philippians 4:6, we are told not to be careful.

“Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

In other words, don’t be careful; be prayerful.  We need to be full of prayer instead of being full of care.   A beloved chorus asks the question:  “Why worry when you can pray?”

The Believer’s Bible Commentary points out that worry is not necessary.  “There is no need for us to bear the burdens when God is willing and able to bear them for us.”

A preacher once preached a sermon on the subject of worry.  He said that:  “Worry is sin because it denies the wisdom of God; it says that He doesn’t know what He is doing.  It denies the love of God; it says He does not care.  And it denies the power of God; it says that He is not able to deliver me from whatever is causing me to worry.”