Here in Central Texas, we recently experienced a ferocious storm. Bad weather turned serious under a flash flood and tornado warning, and we had to take shelter for about 45 minutes.
The wind howled, the sky absolutely gushed water, and lightning struck so often that at times there was scarcely a break between one clash and another boom. It was a dangerous storm and the threat was real. {Patti wrote a little about that same storm here.}
But later that evening things calmed down. The rain stopped, the wind calmed, the lightning passed, and the clouds became beautiful instead of menacing. And as I looked out into my backyard something in the top corner of my porch roof caught my eye. A little swallow flapped her wings, readjusted herself, and snuggled back down in her nest on top of the corner support pillar.
I was so excited and pure joy bubbled up in my throat… I couldn’t believe that this sweet little bird made it through the storm safely! She’d been sitting on her eggs in that nest for several weeks before this storm hit and I have no idea if she weathered the storm right there or if she found a safer haven and then later returned. But instantly, even though she was a swallow, the song His Eye is on the Sparrow came to my mind, and I was reminded of some truths about my precious Father.
6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6,7 ESV)
The Creator Knows
Nothing escapes our Creator God’s knowledge. He knew about this storm and He knew the danger. He also knew my family had huddled together, and He even knew all about the little swallow mother and the eggs in her nest. After all, he knows the number of hairs on my head! His masterful, omniscient eye watches over His beloved creation. Nothing I face or experience surprises Him! He knows the storms and He knows the outcome. He knows, and He will never forget me.
The Creator Sees and Protects
God watches me. Even though I may feel alone or endangered at times, weathering the storms of life, my Father is always with me and watching over me protectively. Just like the mama bird that snuggled down on her babies after the storm, God draws me close under the protection of His wing. He shelters me and keeps me truly safe. (Psa 91:4) And like the bird, He gives me the sheltering strength I need to stretch my wings and soar on wings like eagles. (Isa 41:30)
The Creator Cares
Oh, how loved we are! Our Marvelous Creator not only knows, sees, and protects us, but He loves us. He cares deeply for our every need. (1 Pet 5:7) We are so valuable to God. And this is exactly why Jesus came to give His life. His precious blood was shed to reconcile us to God. (2 Cor 5:18-19) If God remembers every sparrow, yet died for the cleansing of my sins, I can certainly trust in His powerful, sacrificial love.
Today, just over a week after the storm, I noticed a precious, tiny beak reaching wobbily over the top edge of the nest. What a beautiful sight! God faithfully and patiently reminds me of His protective, tender-loving care. Isn’t He truly marvelous?
Bible Study Homework:
Day 1: Read Luke 12:6,7 and Matt 10:29,31. Notice the price of the sparrows. Two birds could be bought for a farthing (or penny), or 5 birds for two. What is God reminding you in these verses? How does your heart respond to knowing your value and God’s attentive love? What will you remember about your value when you see birds today?
Day 2: Read Psa 84:1-4. This Psalm is expressing passion for God’s house. How might the notion of sparrows and swallows making a home and laying their young on God’s altar indicate the concepts of safety, love, protection, and rest? How has God been your place of safety recently? As you go outside today, what will the sound or sight of birds help you remember about God’s character?
Day 3: Read Isa 40: 27-31. In what verses is God’s omniscience revealed, and how is it described? How does God’s strengthening power bring you hope and reassure you of His love? In what area of your life do you need to be reminded today of God’s loving omniscience and strengthening power? The next time you see a bird in flight, what can you remember about waiting on the Lord?
Ali, Thank you. I really needed this reminder today.
Sandy, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. He always knows what we need and when we need it, doesn’t He? Blessings in Christ! :)
Sometimes…especially, perhaps, for us “senior citizens” – we might think that our lives don’t mean quite as much as they did when we were young, industrious, financially sound, workers…and then we see here where five of these sparrows sold for NOTHING…but our Lord still valued them enough to remember them with these words. “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He cares for me.”
Somehow I missed your comment. I apologize! There are so many reasons we could feel like we have little or no value, aren’t there? … Age, health, ability, finances, accomplishment… but yes, Jesus specifically said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. …You are of more value than many sparrows.” No matter how we might feel at times, we can trust in Jesus’ words! (And I love the song you quoted! That’s why it came to mind when I saw the birds had made it through the storm!) Blessings to you!