September 27 – Exercising Faith – How Not To Worry Part 4

“And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”  Matthew 6:28-30 (ESV)

Remember the popular song from the 1960’s?  “Let me tell ya 'bout the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees…” We have considered the birds and how God provides for them.  We are encouraged to not worry about what we will eat because God certainly will provide for us.  Now it’s time to consider the flowers and learn from this example that worrying about our clothing and appearance is also unnecessary.  Why? Because God takes care of dressing the flowers like the lilies. Like the birds the flowers cannot work for what gives them their beauty for God dresses them in a more glorious array than King Solomon was ever dressed.  God has an abundant creative energy and care; he lavishes it on flowers that last only a matter of days. We are a much higher priority for God, because we eternally belong to Him. We can bring God eternal praise as his loved children.  We are assured that He will certainly take that same creative skill and use it to care for his children who will live forever. The question is: Will we believe this promise, and so put away anxiety?

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November 3 – Greater Than Wildflowers - Four of Seven

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”  - Matthew 6:28-30  (ESV)

A few days ago we looked at three promises found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34).  Just as we were told that as God provides food for the insignificant birds he created on this earth, we can have assurance that He is providing what we need to eat as His children.  Jesus then gives the example of how Solomon, dressed in his greatest glory, was out-done by the way God creates the beautiful appearance of lilies growing wild in the fields. Compared to the wild flowers of the field we are a much higher priority for God, because we will live forever, and can thus bring him eternal praise as his loved children. God has he not spared his energy and creativity on flowers that last only a matter of days. So he will certainly apply that same energy and creative skill to care for us his children who will live forever. Let's believe this promise, and put away anxiety today, and tomorrow

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*Some of this content has been drawn from a series of articles from "Solid Joys" a daily devotional by John Piper.  Desiring God