Our Father cares for the birds of the sky. How much more does He care for you and I?
I drove along Old Field Creek Road on a beautiful sunlit Sunday morning. This quiet lane borders the river as it meanders across the mountain. Patches of wildflowers dot the meadows and peek around moss-laden boulders. Sunbeams streak from the sky darting in and out of shadows cast by a canopy of trees, scattering diamonds across the tranquil water.
It’s like driving through a glorious, serene painting.
Gospel Greats played on the radio. “…His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me …” My spirit swelled, encouraged by His song.
Lord, thank You for caring for me, for loving me — for all You do. I really do appreciate it — really. But I grow weary of what has become a constant battle. It’s like the enemy has me pinned to the mat and won’t let go and the referee is beginning to count because I’m in danger of surrender.
I listened for a response. All was quiet.
Lord?
To my left, coming from the forest line across the river, an aerial battle ensued. A bird the size of a sparrow chased a huge raven. Like a fighter pilot she dive-bombed her enemy, flew circles around him and swooped down across his back. Her enemy was clearly on the run.
Nan, that’s how I want you to handle your enemy. Be fierce. Courageous. Don’t bow to him. Resist him in My Name and you will find victory. Don’t be afraid because I am with you and don’t give in to the weariness Satan wants to overwhelm you. I AM your strength.
As I watched the battle in the sky above me I couldn’t help but think about David and Goliath. This little bird and David had something in common: unstoppable courage in the face of a relentless enemy.
“Then David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the Name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand and I will strike you and take your head from you…that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.” ~ 1 Samuel 17:45-47
David defeated Goliath by the Name of the Lord.
Deliverer.
Redeemer.
Fortress.
Strong Tower.
Jesus.
We know this, don’t we? But how often do we fail to call on the Name of the Lord once we’re downtrodden and worn out from the battles? Often.
Dear One, greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world. He is the God-of-Angel-Armies and He will not allow His righteous ones to be defeated. So, be encouraged today. When you’re frustrated and just too tired to resist the enemy any longer, picture this tiny little bird fearlessly chasing the gigantic raven away and speak the Name of Jesus.
The Lord tells us He knows when a sparrow falls.
I wonder if the sparrow also knows that the Great I AM is watching over her …
… for I know He watches over me.
SELAH
