The Lilies of the Field
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 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. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:28-34
There is a world of difference between saying that the Christian life should be free of worry, and asserting that it should be free of trouble. And yet, “worry” and “trouble” are often confused. With glib superficiality, some say, “Come to Jesus and all of your troubles will disappear!” The promise is false and so is the prophet. Jesus does not say that our lives will be without trouble, in fact, He says exactly the opposite.[1] We will, as Christians, experience trials and troubles in this world.
On the other hand, Paul reminds us that we should have no anxiety about anything, but that in everything by prayer and supplication, we should make our requests made known unto God, with thanksgiving.[2] We should refuse to be anxious, not because we know that God will remove our troubles, since He may not, but because we know that He will be with us, whatever we endure.
Again, using the natural world as an example, Jesus reminds us of the lilies of the field, which do not work for their beauty but which are, nevertheless, clothed more gloriously than Solomon.[3] The lilies do not worry, and neither should we. Neither should we be concerned about what we will eat or drink or wear. It is not that these things are unimportant, but that they are not of primary importance. The Gentiles (the non-Jews) worry about these things because they do not have God as their heavenly Father. They do not understand His providential care for His people. They allow themselves to get worried about things that, in the end, do not matter very much. The temporary things of this earth are but for a moment, then they are gone, like dead grass thrown on the fire. But the things of God are eternal. Once we have the security of salvation, we can lay worry aside, for we have a hope that will not fade.
Lord God,
I still worry about many things:
my relationships, my work, my finances, my health.
I have bought into the lie that worrying will help;
but it does not.
Give me the peace that comes from resting on Your promises,
laying all of my burdens at the foot of the cross.
Amen.
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 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. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 6:28-34
There is a world of difference between saying that the Christian life should be free of worry, and asserting that it should be free of trouble. And yet, “worry” and “trouble” are often confused. With glib superficiality, some say, “Come to Jesus and all of your troubles will disappear!” The promise is false and so is the prophet. Jesus does not say that our lives will be without trouble, in fact, He says exactly the opposite.[1] We will, as Christians, experience trials and troubles in this world.
On the other hand, Paul reminds us that we should have no anxiety about anything, but that in everything by prayer and supplication, we should make our requests made known unto God, with thanksgiving.[2] We should refuse to be anxious, not because we know that God will remove our troubles, since He may not, but because we know that He will be with us, whatever we endure.
Again, using the natural world as an example, Jesus reminds us of the lilies of the field, which do not work for their beauty but which are, nevertheless, clothed more gloriously than Solomon.[3] The lilies do not worry, and neither should we. Neither should we be concerned about what we will eat or drink or wear. It is not that these things are unimportant, but that they are not of primary importance. The Gentiles (the non-Jews) worry about these things because they do not have God as their heavenly Father. They do not understand His providential care for His people. They allow themselves to get worried about things that, in the end, do not matter very much. The temporary things of this earth are but for a moment, then they are gone, like dead grass thrown on the fire. But the things of God are eternal. Once we have the security of salvation, we can lay worry aside, for we have a hope that will not fade.
Lord God,
I still worry about many things:
my relationships, my work, my finances, my health.
I have bought into the lie that worrying will help;
but it does not.
Give me the peace that comes from resting on Your promises,
laying all of my burdens at the foot of the cross.
Amen.
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