CHILDREN OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER

Lesson Two

CONSIDER THE LILIES

Burden to Impart:

As children of the heavenly Father we should not worry or be anxious.

Facts to Teach:

1. As human beings, whether young or old, we all experience anxiety and worry. This is neither healthy nor pleasant. However, neither is it necessary. Anxiety comes from the human life. Because our human life is mortal, it also is fragile and causes us feelings of insecurity, uncertainty, and fear. This causes anxiety. Also, because our human life is unable to foresee or prevent outward circumstances that may arise to threaten us or harm us, we become anxious and worry.
2. However, because we are children of the heavenly Father, we actually do not need to worry (Matt. 6:26). We are of great value to Him. Not only did He give us our life, He maintains our life. He will take care of both our inward need (what we shall eat and drink) and our outward need (our clothing, etc.). The birds have neither the intelligence nor the ability to build barns to store up their food, yet after thousands and thousands of years they are still on the earth. The heavenly Father provides for their nourishment each day.
3. God does not even forget about the grass' need. The grass covers the dry ground but it is so ordinary and plain. God has provided the beautiful lilies to clothe the grass and beautify it. There are many lilies on the shores of Galilee. They are a common flower in Palestine, growing in the deep broad valleys (S.S. 2:1) and even in the thorny shrubs (2:2) and pastures of the desert (2:16; 6:3). Our Lord took note of these and compared them to the gorgeous robes of King Solomon. Therefore, many were brilliant in color (scarlet, as in Song of Songs 5:13). They did not toil, nor spin, yet they grew and were beautiful.
4. So, if our heavenly Father would take care of the life of the birds (which are not worth very much) and even clothe the ordinary grass of the fields (which is worth even less) with the beautiful lilies--how much more He Would take care of us, His dear children, and all of our needs! To worry and to be anxious is an insult to Him. We should simply trust in Him.
5. A story illustrating the Father's care for us:
   

   There was once a poor Dutch widow who had four little children to care for, the oldest being a boy of eight years. One evening she had no bread to give them. They all knelt down while she prayed, for she trusted in God. Then her 8-year-old boy said, "The Bible tells us that God sent ravens to take food to a good man." "Yes," answered the mother. Dirk said, "I'm going to open the door so they can fly in." So he did. The bright light from the lamp shone out into the darkness. The Dutch magistrate saw the light and stopped to look in. He saw a very clean and tidy room with the little family. He said, "Why is your door open, since it is so late at night?" The mother told him that her little Dirk had prayed that the ravens might fly in and bring some bread. Now, it just so happened that the magistrate was dressed all in black, with a black hat. The children said, "He is a big raven." "Yes," said the magistrate. He brought them a large supply of bread and food. They went to bed knowing that God cares for his own children.