Many people think of the common sparrow as a pest, a nuisance, an annoyance. It doesn’t have a pretty song, has no bright colors, and can sometimes be rather rude to other birds. But for me, the sparrow is a frequent reminder of truth. The Bible has quite a bit to say about sparrows, and when these truths are applied to life, they can bring peace to our hearts even in the midst of turmoil and troubles and give us hope in the darkest times. Here are some of my favorite passages.
The first passage does not directly name sparrows, but I often think of sparrows when I read it. “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? . . . And why take ye thought for raiment[clothing]? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like on of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” (Matthew 6:26, 28-30). This is a passage I think of often at my job. I work with a grain company, weighing trucks and I often see flocks of sparrows settle on the scale and the ground around it, eating the wheat that has fallen out of the tarps that cover the grain in the trucks. Just yesterday, I was amazed to see sparrows out on the snowy scale, picking kernels of wheat out of the slush. God provides for these tiny birds and His care for me and you is even greater than that. Why should we worry and fret if we are doing what He has given us to do, and money seems tight? Our Father promises to provide for our needs, to hear and answer our cries, and to never leave us.
“The sparrow has found a dwelling place, even thine altar, O Lord.” For some reason, this is how I remember Psalm 84:3 which says, “Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.” My mind’s paraphrase or rewording causes me to ponder my own position with God. The sparrow finds rest, a place to stay, a place of comfort, a dwelling place on the altar of the Lord. The altar is something that, in my mind is synonymous with giving something to God, a place of surrendering our wills, our thoughts, and letting God’s will and God’s thoughts be the guide for our lives. When I think on that sentence, “The sparrow has found a dwelling place, even thine altar, O Lord:” I am challenged. Am I finding peace in yielding my will to God, or am I struggling, fighting, angry because things aren’t going the way I want them? Am I dwelling with my God in joy and comfort with nothing between as I yield myself as a living sacrifice to Him, set apart from the sinful pleasures of the world and the things that distract me from my God? Or am I indulging myself in whatever I desire, trying to ignore the nagging emptiness I feel, endeavoring to placate my conscience with a shallow commitment to the One who redeemed me?
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:28-31). This verse is one that I have just recently begun thinking on. Often, I find difficult to speak about Christ because I fear being the weird one, the one that doesn’t fit in, the odd ball. None of my coworkers are threatening to kill me, but that doesn’t make this verse any less applicable. God calls us as His children to share the Gospel (the good news that God has come and seeks to redeem all) with those around us. I should not be fearing what others might think of me. Rather I should be acutely aware that each of the people I work with has a soul that will spend eternity somewhere. My discomfort in being a witness for Christ is a small price to pay so they can hear the truth and have the opportunity to be reconciled to God. And despite what we may face for speaking for Christ, for identifying as His followers, God promises that we are of more value that many sparrows: He will care for us.
Next time you see a sparrow, I encourage you to let them be a reminder to you. Remember God’s care for your every need as you see them eating. Rejoice in God and thank Him for His provision. As you see sparrows at rest, remember that God offers a delightful rest to you in submitting to Him. Take a moment for introspection and ask God to show you areas that you have not yet yielded to Him. As you see the sparrows flying by the road and in front of vehicles, remember that God sees them fall, and has promised that He values you much more than many sparrows. Remember that God has called you to confess His name to all people and will care for you despite what they may think, say, or do. Yield yourself to God, and dwell at peace. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee” (Psalm 84:11-12).
Hope in truth 