Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33: 18, 19, NKJV.
My LORD and my God, where would we be if You were not watching over us? Who would deliver in the day of trouble? We praise and glorify Your holy name for taking such good care of us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
His Eye is on the Sparrow, is a Gospel hymn that was written by Civilla D. Martin and Charles H. Gabriel. It is a favorite of many Christians, including myself. It is even appreciated by some who do not profess Christianity. No doubt it was inspired by Jesus’ Words: ” ‘ “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. . . ” (Luke 12: 6, 7; Matthew 10: 29-31).
The title of our devotional, was inspired by both the title and the sentiments of that Gospel hymn. Our Scripture for today, speaks of God’s watch-care over his children, who are of much more value in His sight, than a handful of birds. And yet the care He takes of the birds inspires faith in the promise, that He will surely take care of those who He created in His image and likeness; and for whom He gave His life.
In the gospel according to Luke, there is another kind of bird mentioned. No song has been written about them, and they are not as delicate, or as careful in their planning, as the sparrow. Yet they are just as precious in the sight of God as is the sparrow. Verse 24, of Luke 12, reads as follows: “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? “Emphasis provided.
Most of us, know what a raven is. These birds belong to the family of crows. They feed on carrion (dead and decaying flesh). Yet God, having the command over all species of birds, chose a raven to take food for His prophet at the beginning of the time of drought in Israel (see 1 Kings 17: 2-6). This should tell us something about the importance God places, even on the raven.
If God watches over the sparrow and the raven. I am sure that He will never take His eye off of you and me! Are you hoping in His mercy? Then His eye is on you! As we traverse this valley of tears called planet Earth, we live with death. As David said, “there is but a step between [us] and death” (1 Samuel 20: 3); Even in these times of danger, we can rest in the assurance that God will never lose sight of us. When we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23: 4), we will still be beneath His gaze.
In these times of financial hardship, when many individuals and families are experiencing hunger, His eye is on you and me, and He will keep us alive – even in the midst of famine! Those who are in a covenant relationship of love with the Lord, have nothing to fear, for He is constantly watching over you and me – to protect and to preserve us!