Lilies Among Thorns is a three-part study for you to work on individually. The purpose is to focus on "His Place in Your Life," "His Protection for Your Life," and "His Promise." We begin with part one.

Jesus had much to instruct and counsel as he continued His Sermon on the Mount in the sixth chapter of Matthew, and He meant for us to take heed to every word. He presented instructions concerning prayer and fasting, about our heavenly investments and dress, and how we might be handling our worldly cares. I often have to pay particular attention to this chapter in my own life to remind myself of a few things when I find myself feeling frustrated with this world and with my life.

"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth more than they? And which of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure [cubit] to his stature or to the span of his life? And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence (excellence, dignity and grace) was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you men with little faith? Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? Or, What are we going to have to drink? Or What are we going to have to wear? For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek after all these things; and your heavenly Father well knows that you need them all. But seek for (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom, and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right], and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble."
Matthew 6:26-29, 33 AMP

Take a moment, consider those lilies, and together we can LEARN THOROUGHLY and KNOW ACCURATELY what the Lord is saying here to all of us.

First, the lilies are not TOILING, nor SPINNING. In looking up the specifics on the words toil and spin, Webster defines the word, toil as:

1. BATTLE
2. CONFUSION
3. STRUGGLE
4. LABORIOUS EFFORT
5. LONG, STRENUOUS FATIGUING LABOR

1. TO FEEL AS IF IN A WHIRL
2. TO PLUNGE HELPLESSLY AND OUT OF CONTROL
3. TO HAVE MENTAL CONFUSION

Consider those lilies. What is the Lord Jesus saying? He is demonstrating to us that those lilies GROW because they DO NOT toil and spin. Why? Because the lilies allow Him to grow THROUGH them, making them beautiful and carefree and at peace regardless of all that is going on around them…thorns, thistles, etc. He maintains their root zones keeping them from drying out and withering into nothingness. Those lovely lilies need not attempt to do anything on their own because they recognize that they are unable to hold themselves up alone, so why bother trying? He even notes here that old Solomon, in all his finery could not compare to the exotic liliaceous in their stunning beauty.

You and I, like those lilies, belong to the Lord God. He is interested in our lives and wants to show it by blessing us beyond measure. However, are we giving Him every opportunity?

Unfortunately, we, instead often find ourselves in daily life-struggles -- maybe because we are over-anxious about tomorrow, or we are toiling and spinning to reach the world's pinnacle -- that treasure we think we must attain for our homes and our personal lives.

But Jesus also said back in verse 19 of that same chapter in Matthew:

"Do not gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal; But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

"Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, and about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?"
Matt. 6:10-21.25 AMP.

Consider Moses. He had the opportunity we often seek to share in all the TREASURES and RICHES of Egypt, but he preferred to separate himself from the world and all its POSSESSIONS. He chose, instead, the TREASURE he knew he would have by being one of God's people. (Read Hebrews 11:24-27)

In the book of Colossians we read:

If you then be risen with Christ, Seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1-2 KJV

Our own desires for worldly possessions and treasures take our eyes off our Lord Jesus Christ, because we think we have to care for them and safeguard them, however, if our REAL AFFECTION is heavenward, earthly treasures begin losing their significance on our lives.

Ask yourself the following questions.

1. Where am I laying up my treasures?
2. What have my treasures been lately?
3. Are my treasures materialistic possessions?
4. Are they my valuable time?
5. Are my treasures attainable without my constantly striving for more?

"Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, and about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?

"Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. ARE YOU NOT WORTH MORE THAN THEY?"

Substantiate your position in Christ right now. Figure out where your beloved Shepherd fits into your particular life. Are you TOILING about in fatiguing, strenuous labor, or mentally SPINNING your wheels? Only you know the answer. Do the cares and affairs of this world drag you further and further away from the things of God? Do you have a desire to store spiritual treasures in heaven, or are you to too busy with earthly matters and possessions? In what and in whom do you find yourself trusting?

Jesus had a special place in his heart for every beautiful lily in that field, and there is a message in that for you and me, because the special place He holds in His heart for us is even more wonderful and unique. All He asks is that we DARE TO BE HIS LILY, and entrust our lives to Him, so He can provide for every need we have and more. He will abundantly bless us, and you and I will become a blessing not only to Him, but also to all those who see his beauty within us.

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