I woke this morning with the line of a famous old song on my mind. “Your eye is on the sparrow and I know you watch over me, I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free”.
Those words remind us that everything is, and will be alright because God who sees a tiny little sparrow also notices and is watching over us.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31)
Sparrows are some of the most plentiful, common birds in the world. They only live in populated areas because they are scavengers of leftovers. Sparrows hop up to you at the outdoor restaurant and wait for crumbs. They aren’t known for their beautiful colours or for their sweet songs. Jesus said two sparrows sell for a penny. Sparrows were cheap and common.
We might expect Jesus to have said, “God knows when every eagle falls”, because eagles are such majestic, powerful and noticeable birds. But Jesus was making a point that God cares for the most common, things of creation.
We can easily imagine a little sparrow that lives its entire life in obscurity, and finally falls down dead after a few years; in all probability no one would even notice or care. But Jesus said, “not a single sparrow is forgotten by God.” Jesus used this illustration to demonstrate how valuable we are to God. He says we are worth more than many sparrows.
The song His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me was written by Civilla Martin after she and her husband became close friends with an elderly couple Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle. The Doolittle’s had been struggling with various trials for an extended period of time, but instead of being miserable and discouraged about their lives they emanated peace and joy, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them.
One day while visiting, Cevilla’s husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them the secret of their joy in the midst of discouragement and trials. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: ‘If His eye is on the sparrow, then I know He watches me.’
The beauty of this expression of simple faith gripped Cevilla’s heart and that same evening she wrote the words for the song, “Your eye is on the sparrow”.
Today if you’re discouraged, afraid of the future, or struggling with the problems of today, listen to the words of this song and know that He watches over you, and He is the reason for the song we can sing. We are not so insignificant or obscure for God to see and care for us. Nor is He too busy to hear or know all about our concerns. He numbers the very hairs upon our head, and He cares for, and loves each one of us.
“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.
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.
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.”
(Civillia Martin – 1905)
Prayer: Lord thank you that you see me, and that you know all about the concerns of my life. Help me to remember that you are always watching over me and that I will draw close to you. In Jesus Name Amen.
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