It is not the big things in life that create stress for me, so much as the compounding pressure of all the little things. Jesus gave His disciples a revelation about God seeing and attending to the smallest details of life, when He taught about the sparrows:
"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)
I have always understood that idea of “a sparrow touching the ground” pertained to their moment of death. This idea has been caught in the New Century Version, which renders this text as, “...but not even one of them can die without your Father's knowing it.”
The Amplified Bible adds, “...And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave (consent) and notice.”
This revelation teaches us that the God of all the universe notices the smallest details in our lives and that nothing happens to us without His knowing it, which implies His consent. Knowing this can greatly reduce stress and anxiety in our lives.
Jesus talked about sparrows, which are so common they flutter about almost unnoticed. They are one of the most common birds in the world and can be found thriving on every continent. They have no special color, song, or known purpose that we pay special attention to their coming or going.
I doubt anyone has ever seen the actual moment when a sparrow dies a natural death and surely no one has taken the time to attend their funeral. I have never heard of anyone who has even found the lifeless body of a sparrow in the woods. To my knowledge, no film or photograph has ever captured the scene their demise. No one cares enough to take the time to track and film such a non-moments. They have never shown anything like that on Nature or the Discovery Channel, but Jesus said such moments are known to God. Only the God of all the universe attends the funeral of a sparrow.
Jesus drives His main point home with the revelation that we are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Wow!
Peter re-entreated this concept in 1 Peter 5:7, when he said, “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”
I need to rest in the fact that He knows, He cares, and He consents. This simple truth reduces stress in my life. Like the song says, “His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches over me”
His Eye is on the Sparrow - From Hymn History
I have always loved the old song by Civilla Martin, “His Eye is on the Sparrow” which is based upon a revelation that Jesus taught in Matthew 10:29,31 about how much our Heavenly Father cares about us.
“His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches over me”
Here is how the song came about: "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."
The next day she mailed the poem to Charles Gabriel, who supplied the music.
So, let’s trust the Lord’s care and concern for us, even in the smallest details of our lives. Amen!
Words by Civilla D. Martin, 1905 Music by Charles H. Gabriel, 1905 Lyrics 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; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Chorus: I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, For 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; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Chorus 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; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Chorus
Every time you see a sparrow this spring let it remind you that...
- You are incredibly valuable to the Lord.
- You will be provided for by Him.
- Although it feels like no one else cares or notices, He always watches over you.