Matthew 6 concludes with two verses to take into our hearts and make them principles’ to live by – they will be an inspiration governing the direction of our lives. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

What “will be added” is all the essential things needed in life mentioned in the preceding verses. The world around us is constantly wanting more than it needs, but today there are many uncertainties about the future that increases anxiety. We prove our belief in God is real when we are not anxious about them, because we seek “the kingdom of God and his righteousness”. In seeking that kingdom we know we “shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5) and not heaven, as some believe for “no one has ascended to heaven except … the Son of Man” (John 3:13).

David is an outstanding character we are reading about. He was not anxious as he went forth to meet Goliath. He declared to the Philistine giant, “I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts … the LORD will deliver you into my hand” (1 Samuel 17:45,46). His confidence was built on previous experiences as a shepherd protecting the sheep “when there came a lion or a bear and took a lamb … I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth” (verses 34,35) and he so convinced Saul of his confidence that he allowed him to go to fight the Philistine.

We need to build up confidence in serving God so that when our world is in turmoil we will possess a spirit like David’s and “not be anxious about tomorrow”. We must follow the advice in Hebrews 13:5,6 “… be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can confidently say; ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” Here the writer is quoting from Psalm 118:6.

What an inspiration the Psalms have been; they are a particular help so that we are “not be anxious”.