Rejoicing In The Word For Ladies – Consider the Lilies (August 2023)

I suffered a spiritual discouragement recently, and I allowed my mind to wander with worry longer than I should have. Then I called on the Lord in prayer, and He said, “Take no anxious thought.” And I turned my mind to the passage in Matthew 6 which says, “Consider the lilies of the field, for they toil not, neither do they spin.” Then I said to the Lord, “Well, that is what I too frequently do… toil and spin, toil and spin, toil and spin…” After I gave a few moments to consider the lilies, I came to realize that Christ had cured my cares with His peace.What about the lilies?

*Their roots take in water and minerals. This is Psalm 1 for the believer.

“But his (the godly one’s) delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

*The lilies need sunlight for energy and growth and the process of photosynthesis. The Lord God is my sun and shield; He is the believer’s light. He brightens my day with His love, and He lights my path with His Word.

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” Psalm 84:11.

*They are growing. Just so, we are to add to our faith, continually growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow” Matthew 6:28.

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” 2 Peter 3:18.

*The flowers of the field are easily bruised and broken, just as we can become downtrodden and discouraged by the trials or circumstances of life. But the Lord is our refuge and habitation, our strong tower.

“Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress” Psalm 71:3.

*The lilies bloom in their season. And their season is very short.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” Ecc. 3:1.

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” James 4:14-15.

*They are arrayed in glory. We were also created to bring glory to God.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” Matt. 5:16.

What about you? Can you add to my list about the lilies? Worry often enters my life at the point of conflict between my will and God’s will. What a blessing it is to cast all our cares upon Him (1 Pet. 5:7)! It’s important to recognize Who the Master is and what my priorities are. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” Matt. 6:21. ~V.K.S.