27 "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
Believer, God has a sweet word for us today! Ever walked through a garden and beheld the wonder of the rose or the lily or the iris or the peony (just to name a few)? Their exquisite beauty, texture, design, and fragrance are a gift to the senses from our loving Father who, as Paul pens to Timothy:
“Richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Tim 6:17 (NIV)
Jesus tells us to observe, consider and contemplate this fact: If God clothes the flower with such intricate detail, though only here today and gone tomorrow, will He not much more clothe us? Jesus adding to this – check your faith here! We are told in Scripture:
20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Cor 1:20-22 (NIV)
Solomon, the wisest man to ever live and one of the richest, donned with outward splendor, grandeur, pomp, elegance, magnificence and eminence paled in comparison to the lovely lily. When God clothes, He clothes! One of my favorite verses to pray over my family and friends regarding our dress is found in Colossians:
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12 (NIV)
Like David stated in Psalm 30:
11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, Psalms 30:11 (NIV)
Paul adds to this in Galatians:
26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Gal 3:26-27 (NIV)
I love what Spurgeon says: “We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives.”
Every promise of Scripture is for the child of God to claim. We are to stand firm in His promises, praying them back to Him. This is how the saints in the past presented their petitions to their Father. They knew their God and His word and they stood firm in praying those promises back to Him. I think that makes God smile! I believe He enjoys hearing His children claiming the truths of Scripture.
“Standing on the promises I cannot fall, listening every moment to the Spirit’s call, resting on my Savior, as my all in all, standing on the promises of God.” R. K. Carter
“The Lord cannot deny His own declarations. Hold up the rod of promise, and have what you will.” C. H. Spurgeon
10 I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 (NIV)