“And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
(Matthew 6:28-30)


Within Christian theology, men have often referred to 3 books - the Book of Nature, the Book of Providence, and the Book of Promise. As the saying goes, “A threefold cord isn’t easily broken.” Here in, Christ opens our eyes to the use of all 3 to strengthen our faith. However, we must take these books in reverse for a key reason. Calvin says: “Just as old or bleary-eyed men and those with weak vision, if you thrust before them a most beautiful book, even if they recognize it to be some sort of writing, yet can scarcely construe 2 words, but with the aid of spectacles will begin to read distinctly; so Scripture, gathering up the otherwise confused knowledge of God in our minds, having dispersed our dullness, clearly shows us the true God.” We all understand exactly what he is saying. How many of us have seen the birds, bees, and butterflies with no sense of wonder or astonishment? Without a single thought to their Creator? Yet once God grants us the gift of faith, we see everything differently. Hence, Jesus says “you of little faith.” To even begin to draw knowledge of God from this world, we must first have the knowledge of God from His Word.Let the Book of Scripture be our first and primary book.

Afterwards, we read the Book of Creation and the Book of Providence. Doesn’t Jesus? He points us to God’s care of His creation and God’s care of it. A field of golden rod is more beautiful than a king upon his throne. Yet how many men in Hinds County bush hog every month, cutting down a multitude of black-eyed susans and golden rod, without ever thinking twice? Yet we read that God cares for them. Here we are, made in His image, given faith in His Son, will He not care even more for us? When we read in the Book of Scripture these amazing promises of God, the Book of Creation and the Book of Providence should serve as a resounding reminder of His willingness and His faithfulness. Every rain drop should speak of His care, every thunderclap of His power, every ray of sunshine of His provision.

My friends, the removal of anxiety does not rest in the removal of problems; the removal of anxiety rest in an addition of our knowledge of God. I speak to you the words which led to Augustine’s conversion - “Tolle lege!” Take up and read!