In the name of Christ Jesus, dear fellow redeemed people of God,

About 15 years ago, Bobby McFerrin released a song entitled, "Don't worry, be happy." It said that everybody faces some trouble, but when you worry you make it double, so don't worry, be happy. I was really working hard that winter. But, whenever I heard that song, I relaxed and imagined a relaxing vacation in Jamaica.

God's Word teaches us that we should not worry, and we should be happy. In the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord Jesus said, "Do not worry." Then, Philippians chapter four says, "Be happy in the Lord always! I'll say it again: Be happy!" (AAT). Believers have good reason to be happy, because God saved us. So, in a certain sense, we can say:

1. TRUSTING GOD TO PROVIDE

Some people worry that they will not have enough food or clothing. Do you ever worry about that? In the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord Jesus tells us not to worry, but to trust that our heavenly Father will provide for all of our needs.

To teach this lesson, Jesus points us to "the birds." Think of your favorite birds, or birds you see around your house every day. God provides for those birds. They don't plant seeds or harvest crops or save their harvest in barns, but they don't go hungry. God feeds them. Aren't you more valuable to God than birds? If God takes care of birds, he will take care of you! So, don't worry!

Next Jesus points us to the "lilies of the field." Picture a beautiful field of wild flowers. I have seen such fields around here, in the Spring. Those flowers did not labor or spin. They don't even shop at high priced malls! But, they are more beautifully dressed than Solomon was. If God clothes the fields, he will clothe us too. So, don't worry! Trust God to provide!

Worrying doesn't accomplish anything anyway. Worrying won't add one hour to your life. In fact, most health experts would probably say that worrying would shorten your life. Worrying is actually sinful, for Jesus said, "Do not worry." It is the opposite of trusting God to provide. Worrying is "little faith." Jesus points this out when he says, "O you of little faith." When I worry, and when you worry, we show that we have "little faith." May God strengthen us through his Word and give us stronger faith, so we don't worry. Jesus said, {31-32} "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them..." Don't worry; be happy, trusting God to provide, and,

2. PUTTING FIRST THINGS FIRST

Jesus taught that some things are more important than others. Our Savior said, {33} "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Our Savior said, "Seek first his kingdom," that is, his rule in our hearts. We want Jesus to rule in our hearts through his Word. We want him to be our Lord and Good Shepherd and King. This reminds us that the one thing needful is hearing God's Word. Jesus said, "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness." His righteousness refers to how we become right with God. It refers to God's verdict that declares us "righteous" through Jesus Christ. In view of all that Jesus did for us, God has declared us "not guilty." In other words, we should seek first the message that Jesus lived for us and died for us, and rose from death with our forgiveness that by faith in him we will go to heaven. Seek that gospel first. Seek that message first. That is the one thing needful. Then, live according to that righteousness. Live in a way that is consistent with your faith in Jesus.

Then, our Savior promises that "all these things will be given to you as well." As we follow our Savior and hear his Word, we will have food and clothing and shelter. God will provide for us. So, we don't need to worry whether we will have enough in the future. Too many people spend too much time looking ahead. Jesus said here, {34} "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." This is a lesson that my father taught me. I still need to practice this much better, but it goes like this: In the morning, pray that God would help you for this day. Then the next day, pray that God would help you with that day. Just take it one day at a time. Sometimes people get themselves all worked up, because they are worried that this might happen or that might happen. And I can be that way too. Then, we need this reminder: "Don't worry; be happy. God is in control."

This is when some people say, "Yeah, but you don't know what I'm facing. It's different for me. I have this health problem. I might lose my job." And there are many other terrible things that could happen. But what does our Savior tell us. Don't worry about it. Take it one day at a time. Tomorrow may not even come! Maybe Jesus will return first. Each day has enough trouble, so take it one day at a time. Don't worry about tomorrow. Don't worry; be happy... trusting God to provide, putting first things first, and

3. THANKING GOD FOR EVERY BLESSING

God has certainly provided for us. We, of all people, should be overflowing with thankfulness. Our hearts should be filled with gratitude. We have more blessings than we can count! Many of you know the words of Psalm 118: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." Thank God for every blessing, and not mother nature and not your lucky stars. Thank the LORD, our Savior, because he is good. He is good in sending sunshine and rain. He is good in providing for all. Thank God because his love, or mercy, endures forever. God's loving mercy continues all through this life and on into eternity.

Let us thank God tonight and tomorrow, and every day. Let us thank God in our worship services, when we sing songs, when we pray prayers, and when we confess our faith. Let us thank God with generous offerings. Let us thank God by the way that we live and serve each day. Confirmation class students know this. They know why we try to obey the commandments. It isn't to earn heaven, but to thank God that Jesus earned it for us. So, if you ask them why we should obey God's commandments, they will say: "to thank God for saving us." Then, may we live accordingly, thanking God for every blessing.

This year, make the attempt to thank God for as many blessings as you can. And try to prioritize the list in terms of what is most important. Thank God for every good and perfect gift. He created us. He has provided for us. He saved us. He gave us faith. He gave us our loved ones. We have so many reasons to thank God. Dear friends, tomorrow is not "Turkey day" really. It is "Thanksgiving Day." May we spend it thoughtfully, thanking God for every blessing.

"Don't worry, be happy" in Jesus' name. Amen.