Apr 15, 2007

Consider the lillies

"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? [27] And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [28] And why are you anxious about clothing? Con sider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, [29] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] 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 6:26-30 -

Flowers just grow and bloom beautifully for the glory of God, and then they die. Their existence is effortless and anxiety-free. There's no struggle with anxiety (or, rather, sinful unbelief) for a flower. There's no struggle with any other sin for that matter. But, then, they can't know and appreciate the mercy of God nor any other aspect of the glorious character of God. We get to see that and appreciate it for all of eternity because of what He did for us on the cross. For some reason, He counts as having more value than flowers.
God displays something of His glory in a flower. God clothes the flowers and the grass and the birds; it isn't Mother Nature. God clothes and upholds the universe. And, I'm of more value than those other things that He clothes. Ian is of more value than those things. Will he not much more care for Ian? That question penetrates my conscience and correctly charges me with unbelief. Help me, Lord, to know for certain every moment that you are there and that you are caring for Ian.
We were with Ian today learning more about how to care for his physical needs. We will need the Lord's strength to care for these needs of Ian's when he comes home. Pray for us. Pray for his eye which continues to be a problem. Pray that he wakes up.
Pray for Ian.
Steve

2 comments:

Dena said...

Steve, Larissa, et all:

In last night's sermon at church, our guest preacher made reference to something that resonated in my soul. It amazed me, and I hope it gives you comfort. He explained that in the Bible, when it talks about God "creating" the heavens/stars, etc, it uses a word that infers He used his fingers or fingertips, like "knitting," it was explained. ...When God's word speaks of how He saves us, it tells of Him saving us by pulling us up with His right arm. Wow.

Your post reminded me of this again this morning...kind of along the same lines...that out of all the huge and glorious creations on earth and beyond, God cares for us so greatly. This is very comforting to me. I hope it brings you peace.

I check your blog every day. I will continue to pray for Ian and for all the people and things surrounding him.

Love, Dena
Jackson, MS
http://redeemerchurchms.org/sermons.htm (last night's sermon should be up soonish. The whole sermon wasn't about what I referenced, but it was still great. Our guest preacher was Elliott Greene http://www.reformation21.org/Reformation_21_Blog/Authors/207/userId__17/ )

Anonymous said...

Steve,

We are praying

with you. You are

not alone. You are in

the center of His

Will. You are in the

Beloved, in His Precious

Hands...you are His Child.