Leave It With Him
The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting God with our needs and leaving our burdens in His care, just as nature does.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about the importance of trusting God's provision and timing, using the analogy of a monk planting a tree and another monk entrusting his tree to God without conditions. The message emphasizes the beauty of leaving our needs in God's hands, just like the lilies that grow in various conditions because they are cared for by God.
Text
"Consider the lilies, how they grow" (Matt. 6:28).
I need oil," said an ancient monk; so he planted an olive sapling. "Lord," he prayed, "it needs rain that its tender roots may drink and swell. Send gentle showers." And the Lord sent gentle showers. "Lord," prayed the monk, "my tree needs sun. Send sun, I pray Thee." And the sun shone, gilding the dripping clouds. "Now frost, my Lord, to brace its tissues," cried the monk. And behold, the little tree stood sparkling with frost, but at evening it died.
Then the monk sought the cell of a brother monk, and told his strange experience. "I, too, planted a little tree," he said, "and see! it thrives well. But I entrust my tree to its God. He who made it knows better what it needs than a man like me. I laid no condition. I fixed not ways or means. 'Lord, send what it needs,' I prayed, 'storm or sunshine, wind, rain, or frost. Thou hast made it and Thou dost know.'"
Yes, leave it with Him,
The lilies all do,
And they grow--
They grow in the rain,
And they grow in the, dew--
Yes, they grow:
They grow in the darkness, all hid in the night--
They grow in the sunshine, revealed by the light--
Still they grow.
Yes, leave it with Him
'Tis more dear to His heart,
You will know,
Than the lilies that bloom,
Or the flowers that start
'Neath the snow:
Whatever you need, if you seek it in prayer,
You can leave it with Him--for you are His care.
You, you know.
--Selected
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The importance of trusting God with our needs - 'Examples from nature: the lilies and their growth' - The monk's experience with his olive tree
- II points: - God's knowledge of our needs - The futility of trying to control outcomes - The power of prayer and surrender
- III points: - The beauty of God's provision - 'Growth in various conditions: rain, sun, frost' - The assurance of being cared for by God
- IV points: - The call to leave our burdens with Him - Understanding our value in God's eyes - Encouragement to seek God in prayer
Key Quotes
“Yes, leave it with Him, The lilies all do, And they grow--” — Charles E. Cowman
“Whatever you need, if you seek it in prayer, You can leave it with Him--for you are His care.” — Charles E. Cowman
“''Tis more dear to His heart, You will know, Than the lilies that bloom, Or the flowers that start.” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- Trust God with your worries and let go of the need to control every outcome.
- Recognize the beauty of God's provision in your life, even in challenging circumstances.
- Make prayer a regular part of your life, seeking God's guidance and care for your needs.