Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:22-26 NIV

The words don’t worry are difficult to take at face value. In our western lexicon, that phrase has become little more than a friendly acknowledgement – the verbal equivalent of a thumb’s up or a head nod.
“Thanks for doing that.”
“Don’t worry about it.”

Using it in a more meaningful context seems risky. Telling a person who’s discouraged or struggling not to worry could be interpreted as dismissive. Or cruel. Or just dumb. And since most of us work pretty hard at not being any of those things, we choose better words to convey our compassion.

And yet, “don’t worry” is exactly what Jesus told the men who would spend the rest of their lives battling discouragement and struggling through unimaginable hardship until eventual martyrdom. Thankfully, Jesus was not like any of us.

To be sure, the desire to convey the futility of worry came from the depth of His perfect compassion. Jesus loved His disciples. He didn’t want them wasting headspace considering a bunch of worst-case scenarios or what-ifs. It couldn’t add so much as an hour to their lives.

Nonetheless, humans have a way of clinging to delusions of self-protection and self-sufficiency, so Jesus kindly gave them something else to consider: the ravens. If God can care for a bunch of nasty, egg-stealing, scavenger birds, how much more will He meet the needs of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose? (Romans 8:28)

Fun fact about ravens: a group of them is known by several names, none of which are flattering. Most commonly, there’s an unkindness of ravens, along with a treachery, a conspiracy, and a murder of ravens. Clearly, whoever decides such things wanted everyone to know these birds are jerks. Unkind, treacherous, conspiratorial, murderous jerks.

There was a major exception, however. In the Old Testament, an unkindness of ravens kindly fed the prophet Elijah while he was on the run. He was hiding from a king who wanted him dead after hearing a prophecy he didn’t like. Let’s consider those ravens for a minute.

God sent Elijah to a certain ravine and said, “You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there” (1 Kings 17:4 NIV). Which is exactly what happened. Elijah didn’t freak out and worry about how that was even possible. He obeyed and, “The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook” (v. 6 NIV).
“Thanks for doing that, God.”
“Don’t worry about it, Elijah.”

Out of the depth of His perfect compassion, God will not only feed the nasty ravens, He will direct them to supply our needs should He be so inclined. Nothing about His provision has to be rational. Which is why there’s no point in worrying about the worst-case scenarios and what-ifs. Like Elijah, we are to trust the God of the impossible.

Which means, we can take Jesus’ words “don’t worry” at face value. He is never dismissive or cruel or dumb. He may use the most unkind of circumstances to sustain us—He may even use total jerks—but that’s only to cure us of our delusions of self-protection and self-sufficiency. Because Jesus loves His disciples, He tells us not to worry. Which is the best choice of words to convey His compassion and this extraordinary promise: we will be fed.

PRAYER FOCUS
Praise God for His miraculous provision. Thank Him for the kindness He shows even through seemingly unkind means. Ask Him to help you worry less and loosen your grip on the delusions of self-protection and self-sufficiency.

MOVING FORWARD

1. If you are struggling or discouraged, how would hearing the phrase “don’t worry” make you feel? How does hearing it from Jesus make you feel?
2. Are you constantly worrying about worst-case scenarios and what-ifs? What value does that add to your life? What are some other things you should consider instead?
3. What provision and protection do you need to thank God for today? List the ways He has fed and cared for you this week.”

The Chosen, 40 Days With Jesus, Book Four, Day 25, Amanda Jenkins