"And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire — will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:28-30
Without any toiling or spinning on their own part, God clothes the flowers in loveliness far surpassing any adornment which the most skillful human arts can provide. Flowers bloom but a day — and then fade. We are better than flowers. If our Father lavishes so much beauty on perishing plants — is there any danger that He will not provide clothing for His own redeemed children?
Of course it is not implied that like the lilies — we need neither labor nor spin. It is all right for lilies just to stand still and grow. That is their mission; that is the way God made them to grow. But He gave us hands, feet, brains, tongue, abilities, and will; and if we would be cared for as are the flowers — we must put forth our energies to produce the results of comfort. Yet Jesus tells us to consider how the lilies of the field grow. We ought to study the beautiful things in nature — and learn lessons from them.
Here, it is a lesson of contentment which we are to learn. Who ever heard a lily complaining about its circumstances? It accepts the conditions in which it finds itself, and makes the best of them. It drinks in heaven's sweet light, air, dew, and rain — and unfolds its own loveliness in quietness and peace.
The lily grows from within. So ought we to grow, having within us the divine life, to be developed in our character and spirit.
The lily is an emblem of beauty; our spiritual life should unfold likewise in all lovely ways.
The lily is a picture of perfect peace. Who ever saw wrinkles of anxiety in a lily's face? God wants us to grow into peace.
The lily is fragrant; so should our lives be.
The lily sometimes grows in the black bog — but it remains unspotted. Thus should we live in this world, keeping ourselves unspotted amid its evil.
These are a few of the lessons from the lily.
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.