Noticing little birds enjoying our bird feeder this morning, I recalled the old song “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” Its reassuring refrain comforts us with certainty that if God’s eye is on the common sparrow, He will surely watch over us. The thought originates from Matthew 10:29. “Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground” (CEV). The passage goes on to emphasize God’s level of care for us, telling us not to fear, because we are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 6:26-27 carries a similar thought: “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”
God must love the birds if He’s aware every time one falls to the ground. But what value does He place on you and me? John 3:16 tells us He so loved the world, that He gave His only Son so we would not perish but have eternal life. The apostle Paul adds in Romans 8:32, He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
When I was younger there were many things I wanted, and I’ve only gradually realized there‘s little I need. We recently celebrated Christmas. This has become a progressively simpler affair in our home, a fact you might only appreciate had you witnessed our celebration over the past three decades. For years it was quite the production in our large household, as I stretched our budget to get as many presents for our children as possible. The result was gifts piled half the height of the tree, and an all-day affair unwrapping them. I recall we opened one gift at a time, with everyone’s attention on the spotlighted recipient, with me often trying to record everything on film. It took so long, we had to take intermissions for meals!
This year gifts didn’t even cover the floor around our tree. Everyone unwrapped their presents at once, and I doubt it took 15 minutes total. Nobody other than the receiver really knew who got what from whom, and I didn’t take any pictures! Seems Christmas at our house is becoming more about just being together—a truth I was slow to realize.
Matthew 6 reveals God knows our needs even before we ask. He sees our bank balance, the inflation rate, and stock market gyrations, yet He is not alarmed. He’s not worried when our cars suddenly need repair or an appliance wears out. Even if in dire straits looking for our next meal, we can be secure He will provide. He hears our call for physical or emotional healing and cares deeply—He sent His Son for that. Remember, His eye is on the sparrow. We can rest and just be with Him—confident He will watch over us and meet our every need.
Thanks, JB – a good reminder that our burdens should feel, well, as light as a feather! 🙂
Love that, Kathy! Matthew 11:28-29 🙂