Consider The Lilies

Pastor James May

CONSIDER THE LILIES

Matthew 6:26-29, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; 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."

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if man lived in a Utopian state? Have you seen the commercials on TV that begin by describing a place called “Perfect”?

In that place called “Perfect” there are no –

Automobile accidents

Disabling diseases

Overdue bills

Rebellious teenagers

Jobs that you hate

Jobs that you lose

Cars that break down

Houses that need painting

Long-winded preachers

And your dinner is always cooked just right and on time, every time.

Wouldn’t you like to live there!

Ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden, mankind has searched for that perfect place. Inside the heart of hearts of each of us there is that innate desire to live in a perfect, sinless, pristine condition where the storms of life can never come. Oh, that such a place would exist!

But mankind has never attained unto that perfect state of life. In fact, it seems the harder we try, the farther we go from perfection.

Illustration:

John Quincy Adams held more important offices than anyone else in the history of the U.S. He served with distinction as president, senator, congressman, minister to major European powers, and participated in various capacities in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and events leading to the Civil War. Yet, at age 70, with much of that behind him, he wrote, "My whole life has been a succession of disappointments. I can scarcely recollect a single instance of success in anything that I ever undertook."

Charles Sell, Unfinished Business, Multnomah, 1989, p. 233.

After a long absence from the stage, pianist Vladimir Horowitz was to perform in Chicago. Franz Mohr, the chief concert technician for Steinway and Sons, was assigned to make sure the piano was in perfect condition. He did so to the best of his ability, but wasn’t able to relax until Horowitz had given a brilliant rendering of his first number. As was his custom, the pianist left the stage -- but didn’t return. Mohr was summoned backstage. "Where have you been?" exclaimed Horowitz. "I cannot play again. The piano stool is far too high!" Mohr nervously inquired at to the size of the problem. Horowitz held up his hand, his thumb and forefinger about a quarter of an inch apart.

Today in the Word, March 25, 1993.

These are but two small examples of man’s inability to ever reach a place of perfection on his own terms.

The reason that man has such a strong inward desire to reach that place of perfection is because he was created into and destined to live in just such a place from the day that God formed him from the dust of the earth and breathed life in him.

Does a place called “Perfect” actually exist? Will mankind ever experience the bliss of the Garden of Eden once again? The answer of course is, yes! Such a place does exist, though it isn’t named “Perfect”. It’s called Heaven, or the New Jerusalem, and it is a place where all those who have been washed in the Blood of the Lamb will go someday.

But while we are here on this earth we must never forget that we will continue to face the storms of life.

Just this week we have been reminded of how quickly a storm can come upon us; not just a storm of nature with it’s winds, lightning, hail and rain; but a storm of a spiritual nature. It is hard for us to understand why some things are allowed to happen in our lives.

God, we are called to your purpose. We are walking according to your will. We are doing all we can to render the service to the Kingdom of God that you desire of us. So, why do bad things happen to the people of God?

I am reminded of the fact that the disciples of Jesus were out in the sea when the storm arose about them. Their little ship was driven with the wind and tossed about like a cork in a storm upon the water. They feared for their very lives.

Jesus had told them to go to the other shore. He had said that he would join them there. Little did they understand how Jesus would travel across the sea to the other shore. Jesus came walking on the water, above the storm. The power of the winds and the waves was not demonstrated against him for he was the Creator; the One who had spoken those very winds and waves into existence.