Matthew 6:28,29
You have heard much of the great riches of King Solomon, of his fine buildings and all, even his chariot was made with gold and silver over the wood; no doubt he had the most splendid robes which could be made, although those are not told of. And kings and queens and rich people of the world still use gorgeous robes and jewels oftentimes.
But when the Lord Jesus was on earth he spoke of something which we may all see and even have, more beautiful than all such fine robes. Can you think what it can be? It is a flower, which we may have in our house or yard, or see growing even in a wild place.
Jesus said, “Consider the lilies of the field, they toil not, neither do they spin, and yet, I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” The lilies of that land are said to be very lovely, and notice the soft petal of any flower, what could be of more beauty?
Have you ever been in a desert place, so dry that there was no food or grass growing, only weeds or sometimes a few rough bushes, yet there in the summer were most lovely flowers in soft shades or bright colors? The cactus flower grows in such dry parts.
Or, if you have ever climbed in the summer time, up on a very high mountain where the snow still rested on the top, so high that no trees could grow there, yet by the edges of the snow you could find little wax like flowers peeping out, as delate as those in a greenhouse.
God gave riches to Solomon and also has to others, but they have often not been used to His honor, and soon are lost or passed on to others, and few retain them. But God has made the flowers grow year after year to teach us all lessons of trust and beauty, and to cheer. If you ever study the many varieties of flowers, you will learn much to wonder at.
However, even the flowers must quickly fade away, but there is something to prize more than the glory of riches, or the beauty of flowers. It is the Word of God which has been given to us in the Bible.
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8. (See also 1 Peter 1:23-25).
ML 01/29/1939