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.

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