ONE delightful bright morning last summer, my brother and I were out in a little boat on a Canadian river. As we rowed along, enjoying the water and sunshine that God has so graciously given us, and admiring the grandeur and beauty of His handiwork in creation, we saw near the shore a marshy place where pretty water lilies were lifting their heads above the water.
We rowed over to the marsh and worked our way in among the lilies and other water plants. Then we reached over, as the girl in the picture is doing, and gathered a large bouquet of the beautiful flowers. You can see from the picture how the stems are long enough to reach the surface of the water, while the pure, white blossoms float gently on the rippling waves.
Do you know what Jesus says about the lilies? Some of you are familiar with these beautiful verses, — “Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven: how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Luke 12:27, 2827Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Luke 12:27‑28).
Solomon was a very rich man and had fine clothes, but they were not so delicate and beautiful, as the lilies, because his costly robes were made by man, and the lilies were made by God.
And yet the lilies soon fade and die. Flowers never last very long. If, then, God clothes the plants and the grass of the field so beautifully for only a very short time, do you think He can forget His own children? No, dear readers, He will never forget you. He will give you all you need and will care for you at all times. And He wants you always to trust Him.
Sometimes we do not have as much of this world’s goods as we would like to have, because God knows it is better for us to have only a little. He does not want us to be occupied with laying up treasure down here. He would have us lay up our treasure in heaven. And we can do this by learning more about Him and seeking to live for Him every day.
When we are done with this world all our earthly riches and treasures will have to be left behind. But the treasure we, lay up in heaven will last throughout all eternity.
ML 05/31/1903