not one forgotten

"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 ESV)

This summer we have enjoyed watching birds drinking and taking baths in the birdbath on our deck. The sparrows especially take energetic baths, spraying water everywhere. This means, of course, having to fill the bath from time to time to accommodate all the feathered guests.

It struck me that God the Father knows each and every sparrow in our entire world. (I'm assuming this applies also to catbirds, blue jays, and doves, as well.) And that not one of them dies apart from the knowledge and will of the Father. What amazing attention to detail God has toward his creation!

Then this morning I read again Isaiah 40. And in verse 26 we are told God has names for all the stars -- billions upon billions of them. And he maintains the existence of each one. "Not one" of them is missing...

"Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing." (Isaiah 40:26 ESV)

"Not one." Not one star is missing. Not one sparrow falls to the ground apart from the Father. The sheer breadth his knowledge of creation is stunning. It's incalculable: height and depth, great and small, stars and sparrows. Not one is missing, or forgotten, or unnamed, or uncared for.

So why do I wonder -- or worry -- if God cares about the details of my life or the lives of others? Or if he is aware of all the ins and outs of our problems? Or does he truly understand, and truly care, about this or that one life?

Christopher Ash in his sermons on the book of Job, summarized God's speech in Job 38-41 in this way, "I am God; and you are not. I understand fully; and you do not." We need to humble ourselves before his infinite wisdom and knowledge.

And Jesus said, "Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:31 ESV) We need to rest in that truth!

Photo of song sparrow above by philipschwarzphotography.wordpress.com
Photo of Galaxy M101 from JPL.NASA.

Comments

clement quotes hebrews

Clement of Rome wrote to the church in Corinth around AD 90. This is perhaps the same Clement, companion of Paul, mentioned in Philippians 4:3. Many hold him to be the first bishop / pope in Rome, aka St. Clement I. Clement quotes from the letter to the Hebrews. Origin suggested that Clement was in fact the writer (as transcriber or amanuensis) of Hebrews. Perhaps this letter began as a "word of exhortation" given by Paul at the synagogue (Heb 13:22; cf Acts 13:15) which then became a circular letter for the churches. Other possible authors of Hebrews include Luke, Barnabas, or Apollos. The theology is Pauline, but the transcriber is obviously second-generation (Heb. 2:3-4). At any rate, this early church leader in Rome, is already quoting Hebrews in his letter in AD 90: CHAPTER 36 ALL BLESSINGS ARE GIVEN TO US THROUGH CHRIST This is the way, beloved, in which we find our Savior, even Jesus Christ, the High Prie...

Howard Hendricks on OT books chronology

When I was in seminary, Howard Hendricks (aka "Prof") gave us a little card with the books of the OT chronologically arranged. The scanned copy I have was a bit blurry and I wanted to make something like this available for our church class in OT theology ("Story of Redemption"). A few minor edits and here it is...

bible reading july 5-6

Bible reading for July 5 -- 6 July 5 -- Jeremiah 1 and Matthew 15 July 6 -- Jeremiah 2 and Matthew 16 ================ HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, July 4! Throughout the years I have felt varying degrees of loyalty to this nation. The more I have studied history, however, and have observed God's working in it, the more deeply I have come to appreciate the founding principles of this country. In practice this nation has allowed a greater freedom for the gospel to go forth and for the church to flourish than any other nation. Along with the UK the US has been the sending base for thousands of missionaries around the world. The freedoms we have are not to be treated lightly. "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." ( The Declaration of Independence ) ================ "...my people have committed t...

my burg

Search This Blog