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Gleanings From The Word

Category: Psalms

  • A Lesson From the Lilies – no need to worry

    A Lesson From the Lilies – no need to worry

    I snapped these tiger lilies some years ago. I came across them in my photo file, and they brought a passage of Scripture where Jesus reminds us to trust God to mind.

    And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Matthew 6:28-30

    So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

    It’s a familiar passage. I’ve often seen it illustrated with beautiful white lilies. It’s true that many lilies are white, but the Middle East has a plethora of other colorful lilies as well. 

    It’s impossible to know for certain what species of lily Jesus was speaking of, or what his hearers pictured. In fact, it might not have been a lily at all. The word translated in our English Bible is the word שׁוֹשַׁנָּה, shoshanah in the Old Testament, and κρίνον (krinon) in the New. Either word can mean any of a variety of flowers 

    The image is likely far more colorful than we picture. The call to not worry doesn’t change if we change the flower. Jesus is making the point that is that even ordinary, fleeting field flowers surpass Solomon’s glory in their God-given beauty.

    We often skip by passages like this because they are so familiar. Yet, it’s worth stopping here to meditate.

    If God put that much care and beauty into simple flowers, how much more does He care for us? We were designed to be in eternal fellowship with God. Just stop and think about that concept for a moment.

    It’s profound. Who are we that God should love us that much?

    If God loves us that much, what do we have to worry about in the long run?

    There is great peace and joy in knowing we can trust God to guide us through whatever we face. It’s humbling to imagine that He cares for us that much.

    It’s no wonder that the Psalmist could write… What is man that You remember him, and the son of man that You care for him? Psalm 8:4

    Trust God. He has it all under control.

    Be blessed 

    Kevin 

    You might find this interesting: “Are there tulips in the Bible”

    SUMMARY

    The “lilies” Jesus pointed to were likely far more colorful than the familiar white lily, and that vivid image sharpens the point. If God clothes fleeting wildflowers with beauty that surpasses Solomon’s glory, how much more does He care for us, made for eternal fellowship with Him?

    TAKEAWAY

    The flower Jesus referenced may have been any number of colorful wildflowers. The image is richer and more vibrant than tradition has led us to picture. 

    God lavishes extravagant beauty on simple, short-lived field flowers. His care for us, designed for eternity with Him, is all the more staggering. 

    The familiar passage is worth stopping to really sit with. If God has this covered, what do we have to worry about?

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    Right belief or right living? It’s both!

    Beautiful roses, one of my favorite flowers.

  • When You’re Drowning in Sin, Call on Your Heavenly Lifeguard

    When You’re Drowning in Sin, Call on Your Heavenly Lifeguard

    Jesus is always ready to rescue. because of God's Faithfulness

    The job of a lifeguard is to watch over people and rescue them from dangerous situations, even saving lives if need be. God is the ultimate lifeguard. He never sleeps, is always on duty and responds to the faintest of cries for help.

    King David endured many trials, often of his own doing, but He understood that he could not save himself. David had to call upon the Lord.

    He said, “I love You, O Yahweh, my strength.”
    Yahweh is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
    My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
    I call upon Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised,
    And I am saved from my enemies.

    The cords of death encompassed me,
    And the torrents of vileness terrified me.
    The cords of Sheol surrounded me;
    The snares of death confronted me.

    In my distress I called upon Yahweh,
    And cried to my God for help;
    He heard my voice out of His temple,
    And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.     Psalm 18:1-6

    A drowning person is unable to save themselves. They need outside assistance.

    God rescues us from our sin, knowing full well that before long, we’ll be in over our heads again and in need of rescue.

    His mercy and patience are endless. His sacrifice for us was once for all (Hebrews 10:11-18). Our sins are forgiven at the cross, but He repeatedly pulls us out of the flames.

    When we become true followers of Christ, we are covered by His imputed righteousness, but we are far from perfect. In the journey to be made holy, fully set apart for Christ (being sanctified), there are many missteps and problems.

    Yet, when we turn to Him and call out, He comes to our rescue again and again. There will still be earthly consequences for our sins, but we are held fast by what Christ has done. No one can snatch us out of His hands.

    I find that very comforting. I want to be like Jesus more than anything else, but I stumble and fall far too often. I know that when I call, He will answer. My heavenly lifeguard is always there. That’s great news because I need Him every moment of every day. 

    Sometimes, I wonder how long He will stay patient with me. Then I remember His character and promises. God is incapable of failing to keep His promises. It is part of His very nature.

    Do you need rescue? Call on Him today! Good news for the drowning

    Kevin 

    Life: God has His hands on believers’ lives

    God wastes nothing.

    SUMMARY

    Like a drowning person unable to save themselves, we are helpless against sin without divine rescue — and God, our ultimate lifeguard, is always on duty. Drawing from Psalm 18 and the life of King David, this devotional reminds us that no matter how often we stumble, God answers every cry for help.

    TAKEAWAY

    God is the ultimate lifeguard — never sleeping, always on duty, responding to the faintest cry for help 

    Like David, we cannot save ourselves from sin; we must call upon the Lord 

    His mercy is endless; though earthly consequences remain, no one can snatch us from His hands

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