September 29, 2019: SOAP #3587:  Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 12:27 Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

Observation:   The purpose of comparison is usually to determine which is better–which one is the best for certain environments.  Here we have a plant compared to a man.  We have a flower compared to a king.  We have a beautiful lily compared to the Great King Solomon. …and the lily wins!

It is good to note both the Judge and the criteria in the comparison above.  The Judge is God.  The criteria is fulfilling the created purpose.  In God’s eyes the lily is exactly what the Creator intended.  The lily does not try to be more than it is.  It fulfills its purpose completely.  It all his wisdom and wealth, Solomon could not come close to perfectly fulfilling the plan of God for him.

Application:   God does not compare me to others.  He has a plan for my life, and it is fulfilling His plan that I gain His commendation.  He created me to be a vessel through which He could flow.  He gave me enough wisdom to know that my wisdom is not sufficient; I need His wisdom to be expressed through me.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me keep sin out of my life, even little ones that I think do not matter.  Help me keep out anything that would hinder others from seeing Jesus in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!