Daily Devotional | Clothed Like Flowers

In my office at Moody I have a small rock, a gift from one of my daughters. The front is painted with a field of sunflowers. On the back is Luke 12:27: “ Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

Jesus spoke similar words in Matthew 6. He taught that food is nothing to worry or be anxious about (vv. 25–27). It is certainly a legitimate need, but there is abundant evidence in nature and history that God cares about us and will provide. The parallel passage in Luke refers to ravens (Luke 12:22–31). This is probably an encouraging allusion to the story of Elijah and how he was fed by ravens during a drought (1 Kings 17:1–6).

Similarly, we shouldn’t worry or be anxious about clothing (vv. 28–30). Just as God feeds the birds, so He also “dresses” the flowers. What’s more, their “clothing” is not minimalist but extravagantly beautiful. Despite their transience, despite their lack of sewing or spinning, they outdress Solomon. The obvious conclusions? One, worry is utterly useless. Two, God loves and values us far more than birds or flowers. Three, He can be trusted to provide for our needs.

People who do not know God run after temporal things, therefore, we should not (vv. 31–32). God knows our needs, therefore, we should trust Him (see Phil. 4:6). What should we focus on instead? “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (vv. 33–34). This should be our top priority. When it comes to food and clothing and such, “tomorrow will worry about itself.” Anxiety about the future, when God already has it covered, is both pointless and faithless.