Luke 12: 27-31
[Jesus said] “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon, in all his glory, was dressed like one of these. If this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow, is thrown into the furnace, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith? Do not constantly chase after what you will eat or what you will drink. Do not be worried about it. To be sure, the nations of the world chase after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need them. Instead, continue to seek the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the reminders about your love for us which we see (and hear) in nature. When we look and see the fields covered in beautiful colors of flowers that are only there for a short while, they wilt away and are gone. What a remarkable display of your glory; how much greater are we than weeds and fields? You provide us with clothes, food, water, and air, all we need to sustain our physical bodies to make it to the end of this life. Your point is that we should not worry about what we eat or wear.
Our greatest worry should be our sins, but you have removed them by Jesus’ saving work—his innocent life and holy death. So that by faith in Jesus, we know our sins are removed and we are restored to you forever. Lord, if you go to these great lengths to begin and sustain our faith so that we will be with you forever in eternity, then we can be confident in your love for us that you will give us all we need to get to the end of our time of grace and be with you. How great it will be when our bodies are raised from the dead as glorified bodies and permanently placed in heaven with you for eternity.
Forgive us when we worry, and have your Holy Spirit strengthen our faith to be confident of your love for us; please let all of nature’s beauty and the sounds of nature serve as a reminder of your love for us. Let us share our content lives with those who do not know you so that they, too, can be confident in your love for them, trusting in Jesus as their Savior, and have everlasting life. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Look anywhere in nature at God’s care he took to beautify a round ball of water and dirt or see the colors of the plants, animals, and fish. You are far more important than all of these; for you, God sent his Son to remove your sins—when Jesus died on the cross—so you have eternal life.