“Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all of his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Matthew 6:28-29
Dear Ones:
In one of the stanzas of the “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” we read: “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.” What is this “beauty of the lilies?” And how does one lily of the field exceed in glory that of Solomon in all of his grandeur? When David wrote Psalm 27, he made a request of God. He desired to “…dwell in the house of the Lord…to behold the BEAUTY of the Lord.” (v.4) Moses would write in Psalm 90, again in a prayer, “…and let the BEAUTY of the Lord our God be upon us.” (v.17) That which characterizes the lily is first and foremost its source of life. Jesus speaks of the lily as being “…of the field.” It is by God’s design, planting, and care, that it exists. But it is also by God’s infinite wisdom, knowledge, and goodness, that he puts into that plant an intricate, exquisite beauty, that man is incapable of matching. The lily’s beauty is the reflection of the beauty of its creator. Solomon, with all of his toil, strength, and wisdom, in the building of his kingdom, could not arrive at the same result as God’s creation of the lily. The difference in “glory” between that lily and the kingdom of Solomon is as great as the Creator and the man that He created. So then, we are called to stop and consider the “lilies of the field.” Why? Is it just because of their glory? Or is it also because of HOW that glory came about, and is revealed?
When Jesus spoke of the “lilies of the field,” He was using them as an illustration concerning the work and provision of God. Because of the smallness of our perception of the wisdom, love, and goodness of God, we are apt to be anxious about what we need, and also perhaps, about what we should be. The Lord Jesus calls us to go beyond “little faith” to consider the One who has made the lily, and causes it to show forth great beauty. What is the role that the lily plays in this scenario? What does it do, in order to know the caring, keeping, and blessing of God, so that His beauty will shine forth? It was Rutherford who wrote: “Expose yourself to the circumstances of His choosing. He (God) purposes a crop.” What did he mean? The man or woman of faith, who has entrusted the whole of their being to Christ, has specifically committed to Him all care for his or her existence and purpose. Is it not reasonable, even logical, to commit oneself by faith to God our Creator, to Christ our Redeemer, who is of infinite wisdom, power, and love? He has made us to show forth that “beauty of the lily,” but He ALONE can accomplish it.
Dear Father, give us grace this day, as we yield all to Thee, to expose ourselves to the circumstances of Thy choice, knowing that You will meet and bless us. Cause Thy beauty to shine upon us, that same beauty that David beheld, and for which Moses prayed. May the beauty of Thy Son be wonderfully upon us this day, for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad