You are worth far more than many sparrows

“Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

Years ago we moved out in the middle of a corn field. During almost every day we would hear construction noise, but by the end of the day or weekends it would be completely silent. We were the only house which was finished in this new area. Having chosen to move, it was fun and exciting but we were also grieving a great loss. The LORD was carrying us in His strength and mercy and so we were able to get up and do next things because of Him.

I loved being out in this open prairie in our new little home. I would laugh and say we were like Little House on the Prairie. Our lives were full and busy, although sometimes it would be busy along with tears of grief. One weekend I was alone for the day out on our prairie; it was a beautiful breezy spring day. The construction noise in the area had stopped early. It was completely quiet, with traffic once in a while seen off on the distant highway.

As normal, I ran to the LORD with my sadness throughout that day, with this solitary day being particularly difficult. Later in the afternoon I went out on our deck to talk with the LORD because it was private in our empty neighborhood. The tears eventually flowed as I poured out my heart to the One who hears us. As happens sometimes, we resort to, “Where are you , LORD?! Can’t you see and can’t You hear how much we desperately need You to save and deliver!?”

After I was finished with my prayers, the crying, and then the laying all of this at His feet I just sat there. It was so peaceful to sit in the gentle breeze and the silence. This is when I realized it wasn’t silent at all. Of all the delicate sounds in nature I could also hear birds chirping in the distance. We had not seen one bird at our home since we had moved in. I strained my eyes to see these birds but I saw nothing. The chirps were coming from the farmstead which had mature trees to the north of us.

The chirping continued but I never did see any birds. I didn’t need to see them, as I was struck with how profound this was to me. The LORD knew exactly where we were in our pain and He knew that we desperately wanted to be saved from our agony. He knew the very number of hairs on our heads! He knew where everyone of those birds were which I could only hear. And He was using those unseen birds to remind me that we were far more valuable than each one of those vocal sparrows.

On the other end of the spectrum of birds whom the LORD knows are Bald Eagles - massive, huge, majestic birds. Our children’s German instructor once suggested I observe Bald Eagles the next time I saw one. She pointed out that when they lift off - a tree perhaps - their bodies fall lower before they raise up higher giving new meaning to “mounting up with wings like eagles.”

So when we are waiting for the LORD and gaining new strength in Him, it isn’t like superman with “up, up and away.” Waiting is not passive. It is not doing nothing. Waiting on the LORD is extremely active, and when we choose to do it we can mount up with wings like eagles. If it is tough at first, we are not to give up. If a Bald Eagle, at some 13 pounds, would give up when it was lifting out of a tree and dropping down some, it would fall to its death if it didn‘t use its muscles instinctively to raise up. We too need to flex our spiritual muscles while we wait. When we do this in Him we will be able to walk and run even in the greatest times of need.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous men stumble badly, yet those who wait on the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:28-31

We now have myriads of birds who visit our yard. I not only hear them but see them. Birds mean more to me now than ever before because they represent a created thing that is important to the LORD, and that I am worth so very much more to Him. Praising the LORD with you!

“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God.” 1 John 3:1a