Sometime early in my junior year of college, I got it into my head to write a little poem about worrying and trust. I wanted to base it on Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 and Luke 12 on the ravens and the lilies. It’s stunning to remember that the same God who feeds the birds and clothes the flowers also cares for us as His beloved children.
I didn’t intend for this to be a poem about the sacraments. I was in the process of becoming Lutheran, however, and the sacraments naturally were on my mind a lot. As Winnie the Pooh wisely explained to Piglet in defense of the shillings in his poem, “They wanted to come in after the pounds, so I let them . . . It’s the best way to write poetry, letting things come.” So, just as Pooh let the shillings come in after the pounds, I let the sacraments come in after the ravens and lilies.
Our Father loves us–body and soul. He not only provides daily bread for our physical hunger but also nourishes us with the body and blood of His Son for the forgiveness of sins. He does not stop at giving us clothing for our physical bodies but even clothes us with the righteousness of His Son. As Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” We have no need to be anxious, for Christ has taught us to pray for our daily bread and the forgiveness of our sins (Matt. 6:11-12a). Our anxious toil can achieve neither of these things, but God delights in giving. His grace is sufficient for all our needs.
Fret Not
Why the worry, little one, for what you’ll eat or wear?
Look around, and see My creatures flourish in My care.
See the glory of the flowers and the mirth of birds above—
Every raven, every lily telling out My faithful love.
In My love and by My wisdom, I create, sustain, and cherish.
Though birds sell two for a penny, apart from Me not one will perish.
All in vain your early risings, all in vain your sleepless nights.
For unless I go before you, you will only waste your might.
All in vain your anxious toil, for I give My loved ones rest.
Come, all hungry; come, all weary. In my gracious care, be blest.
Have you ever stopped to wonder what your worried fretting’s for?
Look at how I feed the ravens. They don’t plant or reap or store.
In anxious toil you bake your bread and build your barns up stronger.
But can all your grief and effort make your life an hour longer?
In straining strategizing you take such a foolish pride.
Yet ravens cry and look to Me; in due season, I provide.
In unbelief you stake your hopes on labors of your hands.
But when the fire and storm comes, will your feeble storehouse stand?
O child, you’re not your maker. On another you depend.
You were made to take from Me what lovingly I send.
Little one, now open wide; your hungry mouth I’ll fill.
Be not anxious for tomorrow; you have only to be still.
~
O raise your eyes! Lift up your head!
From heaven comes down the Living Bread.
Of old the manna gave a clue.
Now Bread of life is given for you.
Your anxious toil could never suffice.
Come, beggars, drink without a price.
Come eat of what you don’t deserve.
For Christ descends this feast to serve.
In anxious toil the wind you chased,
But lasting life He gives by grace.
His flesh true food, His blood true drink—
A meal of grace beyond all you think.
His blood poured out your sins to forgive;
Behold Him here. Take, eat, and live.
~
You care far too much for clothing, for the coverings of your skin.
Coats and collars hold such value for the world of covetous men.
Take a look at lilies blooming, spreading beauty on the grass.
See My riches granting clothing to the weeds that quickly pass.
Have you ever seen a lily spinning gowns in anxious toil?
No, behold the quiet wisdom in the wildflowers of the soil.
If this is how each blade of grass receives My gracious care,
Do you think I’ll ever forget the ones I made My image to bear?
You’ve heard tales of splendid clothing worn by Solomon of old;
You depict his kingly garments made of purple, scarlet, gold.
But stop and see these flowers; know that robes for Solomon made
Could not rival one small lily in its glorious dress arrayed.
Do not worry for your clothing; see the loveliness I make:
Far surpassing palace clothing—a free gift for you to take.
~
Behold the covering for your skin;
Behold the Lamb who bears your sin.
Remember what your parents made
With fig leaves picked in Eden’s shade.
In vain they tried to hide their shame,
But unto them God lovingly came.
New garments He made from a creature’s hide;
To cover their shame an animal died.
But now a better covering’s given
To those who were from Eden driven.
For Christ comes granting robes of white,
Dying that His bride may be counted right.
His robe freely given that you might be just,
For He bore your robe stained with hatred and lust.
Naked and bleeding He hung on the tree,
Winning cleansing and clothing for you and for me.
Baptized in Christ, with Himself we are dressed;
The curse is reversed, and in Him we are blessed.
Our law-keeping efforts are hopeless and vain,
For rags caked with filth are our works’ greatest gain.
Come and receive the robe given from above;
Come and be clothed by ineffable Love.
~
Consider the ravens; consider My grace.
Look at these lilies; now come, seek My face.
Look to Me for daily bread;
Receive the One who for you bled.
Trust in Me to cover your skin;
Trust the One who bore your sin.
Coram Mundo 