Out of Zion

Dr. Susan Michael: Jesus understood that we all have concerns and cares, so he addressed that in the Sermon on the Mount. Today I want you to stay with me as I share with you the words of Jesus about your anxiety. Welcome to this week's Shabbat Shalom devotional, where I share a little thought of inspiration and bring a little peace to the close of your very busy week.

The last few weeks we have been talking about the problem of anxiety that so many of us battle. Anxiety is an emotional mix of fear and worry that causes us to be overly concerned and anxious. We talked about steps that you can take to alleviate anxiety in your life. First, develop a weekly routine where you take a break, maybe on the weekend, where you can tend to your spiritual strength and your spiritual needs.

Secondly, bring your concerns and petitions before the Lord with thanksgiving and then leave those concerns with him. It is as if you were casting them off of your shoulders and onto his. Lastly, receive the peace of the Holy Spirit because it will bypass all of the worries in your mind and the fears in your heart, and it will bring peace to your soul.

Today I want to end our series on anxiety by sharing with you some of the words of Jesus. Listen to these words, let them permeate your heart, and receive the peace of the Holy Spirit as I read them to you. In Matthew 6, which is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, verses 25 through 27 say, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on it. 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 the barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" Verse 34 says, "Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

In John 14:27, Jesus said this to his disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." Receive the peace that Jesus has for you this week. With that, I want to close and wish you a Shabbat Shalom.