"BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING; BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER ..." Anxiety or carefulness, is very injurious! It divides the heart, unsettles the mind, obstructs the word, causes distrust, and destroys our peace. It is inconsistent with our Christian profession. Have we resigned all into the hands of the Lord, and should we not leave all to His control? We should do everything as for the Lord, and consider our families, our property, and our business, as the Lord's. Only then can we be holy and at peace. Anxiety or carefulness dishonours God. It reflects upon His sufficiency to supply all, upon His omniscience to discover all, upon His ability to manage all, upon His mercy, bounty, and liberality, as if He would leave us to want. Why should we doubt His veracity, fidelity, and immutability, as though His word may be forfeited or His promise broken? Carefulness injures our own souls: it is opposed to contentment and trust. It arouses impatience and provokes unbelief. It hinders our usefulness for God, and hardens our hearts. It cuts off blessings from the Lord, and deserves His rod and frown. We should therefore strive to be without carefulness, for the Lord more than cares for us.

For Meditation:
How sweet to have our portion there,
Where sorrow never comes, nor care,
And nothing will remove!
We then may hear without a sigh,
The world's destruction to be nigh -
Our treasure is above.