Dear anxious soul,
Does it seem that your troubles never cease? Gaze upon the sparrow who soars at ease. Your troubles may be many, but do not count this to be a trivial task, for you must see the hand of the Lord that supplies the sparrow's sustenance. If God’s care extends to the content little bird it certainly reaches your unsettled soul. Now, let us look upon the Scripture, for it says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matt. 10:29-31). Now, you must understand that you are the most significant of God’s creation. All of mankind has dominion over the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the field (Psalm 8). As for God’s children, they have dominion over more than just other creatures. They also have dominion over their own fears and anxieties, for all in Christ are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). Therefore, the children of Christ have no reason or right to be anxious. For His perfect love casts out all fear. But how can our fearful hearts know His love? We must look to the cross where He laid down His life for His children, not the sparrows.
Nevertheless, Scripture has more to say of these sparrows. To His child, Christ says, “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? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matt. 6:26-27). Again, we are reassured that God cares for His children more than sparrows. In this passage, we also learn that the sparrows glorify God, but they cannot perceive Him. They ought to reverently bow down before Him each time they eat. Now, we may be tempted to be jealous of these sparrows. For these mindless creatures are fed by the Father and fly without sorrow. Yet, the souls of men are troubled day and night. Oh, to know nothing of sin, pain, or, grief to not even know what the very words mean. Before we self-pity, we ought to understand that these sparrows receive their food blindly. These creatures do not know their Creator or their need. They do not know tragedy, but neither do they know glory. The Sparrows can chirp a repetitive song, but which of them can sing praises of redemption? Can a Sparrow say, “nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling”? No, for these same sparrows who drink from the springs will never taste the living water of the King.
Anxious soul, you have looked upon the sparrow now look upon the High Priest who is the root and seed of all rejoicing. Let the sparrow remind you of God’s tender love for you who reflect His very image. Your suffering may not feel light and momentary, that is until you see the Father’s glory. Therefore, remember this:
See His glory in the skies
where the simple sparrow flies
then gaze upon Giver
who forever satisfies.
“When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul”
Psalm 94:19
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