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28
S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 5
nourishes every root, that He may express His love to all who will
be softened and subdued by the works of His hands. We need no
artificial display. God’s love is represented by the beautiful things
of His creation. These things mean more than many suppose (
Letter
84, 1900
).
28-30. A Lesson of Faith
—Notwithstanding the curse was pro-
nounced upon the earth that it should bring forth thorns and thistles,
there is a flower upon the thistle. The world is not all sorrow and
misery. God’s great book of nature is open for us to study, and
from it we are to gain more exalted ideas of His greatness and un-
excelled love and glory. He who laid the foundation of the earth,
who garnished the heavens and marshaled the stars in their order, He
who has clothed the earth with a living carpet, and beautified it with
lovely flowers of every shade and variety, would have His children
appreciate His works, and delight in the simple, quiet beauty with
which He has adorned their earthly home.
Christ sought to draw the attention of His disciples away from
the artificial to the natural: “If God so clothe the grass of the field,
which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much
more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” Why did not our heavenly
Father carpet the earth with brown or gray? He chose the color that
was most restful, the most acceptable to the senses. How it cheers
the heart and refreshes the weary spirit to look upon the earth, clad
in its garments of living green! Without this covering the air would
be filled with dust, and the earth would appear like a desert. Every
spire of grass, every opening bud and blooming flower is a token of
God’s love, and should teach us a lesson of faith and trust in Him.
Christ calls our attention to their natural loveliness, and assures us
that the most gorgeous array of the greatest king that ever wielded
an earthly scepter was not equal to that worn by the humblest flower.
You who are sighing for the artificial splendor which wealth alone
can purchase, for costly paintings, furniture, and dress, listen to the
voice of the divine Teacher. He points you to the flower of the field,
the simple design of which cannot be equaled by human skill (
The
Review and Herald, October 27, 1885
).