OUR SOURCE
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Matthew 6:25-34 (NRSV)

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.

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My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
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JUST last week my husband was told that the company he works for will be closing. Of course, this was upsetting news for us. It was especially upsetting because this is the third time this has happened to us. He lost a job he had for 22 years due to downsizing. Another job he lost because the company was relocating.

In those times, have we questioned God? Yes, we have asked, "Why?" And I must be honest and say that God really hasn't answered that question for us. Instead, God has answered the question, "Who?" as in, "Who is our source of security and provision?" God is the source. God has provided for all our needs before, and we can trust that God will do the same this time.

In our changing and sometimes very unstable world, we can find peace in knowing that the source of our security is not our employment. Our security rests in God alone.

Prayer: Loving God, help us to believe that you are our source for all we need in this life. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Our only lasting security is the faithfulness of God.

-- Linda M. Vensel (Pennsylvania, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: The unemployed