“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:26
“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” Matthew 10:29-31
Sometimes it appears that God is distant and unaware of our sorrow or troubles. It’s easy to get discouraged in this life on fallen earth and become transfixed on what is wrong. Each and every individual of the human race has been born with the stigmatism of sin that impairs their spiritual vision (Rom. 3:23, 5:12). In order to correct it and increase spiritual acuity, one needs to focus on the One with perfect vision. God’s vision sees past, present and future simultaneously. He notices the details as well as sees the big picture. God also has ‘x-ray’ vision and looks beyond the outward surface that man is limited to (1 Sam. 16:7, 1 Cor. 2:14, 1 John 3:20, Prov. 5:21, 15:3). In Psalm 139, the following is presented: God’s omniscience (in verses 2-5), God’s omnipresence (in verses 7-16), God’s omnipotence (in verse 19), and deliverance from self (in verses 23-24).
Civilla Martin, who penned the lyrics of “His Eye is on the Sparrow and I Know He Watches Me”, said this:
“Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” was the outcome of that experience.”
Here are a few of the verses:
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). The key is to pay attention to where your ‘mind’s eye’ is focused. A pessimist sees only the negative and focuses on the problem. A Christian should see things differently. They may see the same problems, but understand that their spiritual vision can be corrected when these difficulties are viewed through a Biblical lens (God’s perspective). This way of looking at things helps them from becoming discouraged and giving up. In the lyrics to DC Talk’s song, “Mind’s Eye” is, “It’s in my mind’s eye, I see Your face. You smile as you show me grace… We can ride the storm, endure the pain—you comfort me in my hurricane—and I’ll never be alone again…” Near the end of the Apostle Paul’s earthly life, many had forsaken him in his time of need—all except the Lord. The Lord stood with him and strengthened him so he could keep fighting the good fight, finish his course, and keep the faith (2 Tim. 4:7, 16-18).
Our days will start out much better if we look to the Lord and His Word first and foremost rather than to the news or social media. The media, public opinion, political leaders, etc. can’t guide you through your own unique, individual circumstances—only God can (Ps. 139:1-13). “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” Psalm 32:8.
You’ll feel less strain when you take your eyes off worthless things and fix them on a Worthy God (Ps. 101:3, Heb. 12:2, 2 Cor. 4:16-18, 10:5). Even when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, there’s nothing to be fearful of because God is right there too (Ps. 23:4, Heb. 13:5). You can have peace when you cast all our cares upon Him, because He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7, Phil. 4:6-7). You can endure as Moses did by taking your eyes off the seen (your circumstances, disappointments, worldly events…) and place them on Him Who is invisible (Heb. 11:27). Walk by faith and trust in an all-seeing God (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Laura
Caged Bird Sings 