CONSIDER THE LILIES – AN OUTING TO SEE THE BEAUTY OF CREATION (MATTHEW 6:28-29)

Dear Members in Christ,

Consider the lilies – an outing to see the beauty of creation (Matthew 6:28-29) 

The Perdana Botanical Garden is an interesting sight, it is a “green lung” right in the middle of the urban heart of Kuala Lumpur city. It is a veritable treasure chest of botanical collections, a delight to anyone who admires God’s creation. The gardens are planted with manicured shrubbery, and pathways are lined with flowering plants, trees, and many specimens of tropical plant life. In this floral surroundings, on the 26^th of April, the organizing committee of the church outing selected this location for Calvary Jaya’s 2025 church outing. During the outing, we were reminded of the exhortation from God’s Word which I shared with the participants.

“  …. And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Matthew 6:28-29

These words of the Lord Jesus were meant to comfort those who were preoccupied with the anxiety of their daily provision. When one is without faith; food, drink and garments becomes the issue in life. Like many people who are caught up in the rat race of career, job, and saving for retirement, Christians are to be exhorted to rely upon our heavenly Father for provision. 

A. The beauty of nature as an object lesson for faith in God 

The Lord Jesus made it clear that the humble lily has no need for toil or labor, yet it is better clothed than King Solomon in all his glory. Truly, the sight of God’s creation must be a lesson for us to remember the words of our Lord Jesus. A short walk through the botanical gardens enabled us to see all kinds of flowers. Orchids, heliconias and flower of all shades and geometry. God’s creation is indeed wonderful to behold.

Brothers and sisters, let us be encouraged. The Lord Jesus exhorts, “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” (Matthew 6:30-31)

B. The church outing, an opportunity to comfort and edify one another

Beloved, the time spent together as Christians if we bear in mind the encouragement in God’s word to edify one another. The time we have together as a body of Christ is valuable especially if we remember the exhortation by the Apostle Paul, “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2). During such an outing, we have time to speak to one another, share our daily burdens with one another. We see the younger Christians helping the elderly. We are encouraged when we see Christians serving one another, sharing a meal and conversing about their joys (or challenges) at work.

Brothers and sisters, do not miss every opportunity to spend time with one another as members of the body of Christ. We ought to edify and encourage one another and so “fulfil the law of Christ.” May God strengthen our faith and our church as we seek to serve Him faithfully. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor