Consider The Lilies

Scripture For The Day

 Luke 12 Part 1

"Consider The Lilies" 

In the meantime, thousands of people had come together. So much so that they were stepping on each other. Jesus had just left a Pharisee’s house that was more concerned with ceremony than with a relationship with Him. Jesus turned to His followers and spoke “Be careful of the leaven of the Pharisees- they are hypocrites. Nothing will stay hidden. All will be revealed. Fear only God. He is in Control. He knows Everything. He even knows the number of hairs on your head. Can’t you see that you are more important than many sparrows and He provides for them. No matter what, stay True to God. Don’t be anxious. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Don’t be ashamed of your faith. For you belong to me. The Holy Spirit will give you words to speak.” Someone in the crowd spoke up and said “Master, speak to my brother, that he divides the inheritance with me”. Back then, the right of the ‘firstborn’ was a double portion of the inheritance. This guy was hearing Jesus speak but was focusing on worldly things.  Jesus asked him “Man, who made Me a judge or a divider over you? Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not about all the things you own.” And Jesus began sharing the parable of a rich man who had some land. He was a prosperous farmer. The crop was so plentiful that he had more than the barns could hold. But instead of sharing with those less fortunate, he made plans to store up the surplus all for himself. God told him that he was foolish and that he was going to die that very night and then what would happen to all his stuff? Who was going to get it now?

Jesus turned back to His followers and said “Don’t worry about the things you need to live- what you will eat or what you will wear. Life is more important than food and the body is more important than what you put on it. Look at the birds. They don’t sow nor reap, but God provides for them. Aren’t you better than the birds? This next verse I hear from my husband quite often “And which of you with taking thought (worry) can add to his stature one cubit?” vs. 25 Worry gets us nowhere but to the doctor due to stress. Consider the lilies and how they grow. Solomon in all his glory was never arrayed like them. God makes them beautiful. How much more do you think He will do for you? That’s just grass- one day it’s alive and the next day someone throws it into the fire. But God cares enough to make it beautiful. Surely, He will do much more for you.  (and how He does) Jesus told them and us that our faith is so small. You know better. Keep your heart and mind focused on The Kingdom of God. And He will provide for all your needs. Don’t get caught up in the junk and the struggle of this world. Rise above it and Glorify The Lord.