January 27. He knows your need. Do not be anxious saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink,

or what shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your Heavenly

Father knows that you need them all. Jesus wants his followers to be free from worry. In Matthew 6, 25 to

34, he gives at least seven arguments designed to take away our anxiety. One of them lists food

and drink and clothing and then says, your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all.

Matthew 6.32.

Jesus must mean that God's knowing is accompanied by his desiring to meet our need.

He is emphasizing that we have a father,

and this father is better than any earthly father.

I have five children.

I love to meet their needs,

but my knowing falls short of God's knowing in at least three ways.

First, right now, I don't know where any of my children are.

I could guess they're in their homes or at work or school, healthy and safe, but they might be lying on a sidewalk with a heart attack.

Second, I don't know what is in their heart and in any way. but they might be lying on a sidewalk with a heart attack.

Second, I don't know what is in their heart at any given moment.

I can guess from time to time, but they may be feeling some fear or hurt or anger or lust or greed or joy or hope.

I can't see their hearts.

They don't even know their own hearts perfectly.

Third, I don't know their future.

Right now, they may seem well and steady,

but tomorrow some great sorrow may befall them.

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