Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the brokenness and pain I see in the world.
“Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?”
I’m not even talking about personal troubles. I am often overwhelmed by the state of our world, the rampant injustice and the capability we have for cruelty.
“Why does my heart feel lonely and long for heaven and home?”
This sweet, simple song has often given a perfect voice to my heart’s cry!
His Eye Is On the Sparrow has been sung at many of my big life milestones, from graduations to funerals. Yet it always serves to remind me that God is there, caring for me in the small moments of life as well.
A Simple Story
His Eye is On the Sparrow was penned in 1905 by Civilla D. Martin, with music composed by Charles H. Gabriel, one of several collaborations between them.
Martin occasionally travelled with her Baptist minister husband, Walter, which was how they encountered the Doolittles, a couple whom they described as “true saints”. Mr. Doolittle was in a wheelchair and Mrs. Doolittle was bedridden, yet their life was full of joy, kindness, and peace. Enough to make the Martins wonder.
When asked how she could live in such terrible circumstances with so much hope, she answered, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”
A Simple Illustration
Jesus used the little birds to illustrate the vastness of God’s love, provision, and attention to the smallest details of our lives.
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:26
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.” Luke 12:6
Over and over throughout Scripture, God is painted as the caregiver of creation (Job 38:41). The Perfect Provider (Psalm 104:11). The Satisfaction our souls long for (Psalm 145:6).
The Simple Truth
When storms rage in our backyard, my tenderhearted son asks me, “What about the birds?” I comfort him with the reminder, “Who takes care of the birds?”
- God, who is love.
- God, who is good.
- God, who cares what happens to the sparrows.
When storms rage in my heart, I can rest knowing that the God who cares about the sparrows, cares even more for me.
“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
“When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is he
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me”
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