His Eye is on the Sparrow

He Watches Sparrows

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Matthew 10:29

bird sparrow

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

In Jesus’ day sparrows were common and held value only for what brief use anyone might have of them. Sometimes I have wondered, why Jesus tells us that God watches sparrows. After all God is everywhere and He also watches eagles, lions and even alligators (We have 1.3 million of them in Florida)! But unlike animals with talons, claws and teeth, sparrows have no offensive weapons. Instead their only hope is that in the moment of danger they will fly to safety. 

Have you ever felt like a sparrow? Apparently many of Jesus’ listeners did. They had been oppressed by Romans, exploited by their own religious leaders and despised by the rich. But when Jesus came they hung on His every word because He was someone who loved to spend time with them and who invited them to come to Him. Have you ever considered that God also loves spending time with you so much that He sent His own Son with the invitation to share eternity with Him. That is an invitation without an expiration date because the God who watches sparrows also He watches you and me.

Being Content

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

In Paul’s letter from a roman jail to the church he makes the astonishing statement:

Philippians 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content

This week end as I was walking with my grandson I took several pictures of some birds who were flocking around tree branch just above our heads. They didn’t seem much disturbed by our approach or our voices as we watched them. On closer examination I discovered that they were perfectly content right where they were because they were surrounded by the abundance of seeds in the ash tree where they perched.

Paul found himself “perched” in prison but he had discovered contentment. He saw around him the opportunity to share the gospel, a place for prayer and most importantly for us a place to write a good portion of what we call the New Testament!

Where have you found yourself perched today? Can you see the provision that God has  deposited abundantly in the branches around you? Every place has its own season of abundance. Every restriction focuses us on what we can still do. Every unwanted change, every circumstance beyond our control and every unexpected sorrow draws us closer to our Savior whose promises never change, who never lets us go and whose presence gives us comfort through every stormp1020480

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
and long for heaven and home?
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is he;
His eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me   Civilla Martin “His Eye is on the Sparrow”