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Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26
I’m always amazed when I watch the birds as storms approach. I remember one time in particular. The sky to the west was ominously black as a severe summer storm was approaching. The distant rumble of thunder grew louder. The lightning flashes became more frequent. I was watching the impending storm from my deck and getting ready to head inside for cover as the first drops of rain began to fall.
As I slid the patio door open I noticed out of the corner of my eye a robin perched on the top of one of our young trees. The wind was beginning to blow, giving the robin quite a ride. In my concentration on the storm I’d never even noticed that the bird was singing at the top of its lungs!
While the rest of the world was preparing to take cover, the bird was singing praises to its maker! I stepped inside to watch the storm…and my friend, the robin. The sky grew darker. The wind increased and finally, my little friend flew off for the safety of a larger oak standing nearby.
My Heavenly Father put on a great light show complete with pelting rain and window-shaking thunder. I stood at the window enjoying the show and occasionally looking into the oak. The storm occasionally grew too severe for me to see clearly, but the robin sat in its place of refuge until the rain stopped and a beautiful rainbow signaled the end of our adventure.
Jesus’ words came to my mind as I replayed what just happened. Look at the birds of the air. Birds don’t worry about where tomorrow’s food will come from and they aren’t concerned about 401k’s or pension plans. They don’t concern themselves with planting and harvesting and all the other things we humans worry about. They know that their Father in Heaven will provide exactly what they need.
Every once in awhile I see or hear a robin singing at the top of its lungs. I remember the lesson my friend taught me in the storm. I’m so much more valuable to the Father than a robin. He sent his Son to die for my sin. He made me in His image. He gave the promises of his Word and the assurance of eternal life with him.
If he loves me that much do I need to worry about tomorrow? If he loves me that much do I need to be anxious when the storms of life attack? I don’t think so. As the old gospel hymn says, “For His eye is on the Sparrow, and I know He watches me.”
PRAYER: Heavenly Father. I thank you for the extreme passion you have for your creation. I praise you for the fact that in all of your greatness and power you think enough to protect the birds during a storm and provide for them in their need. Forgive me for the times I’ve worried. Empower me with your Holy Spirit to trust you completely. When the storms of life approach help me to cling to the promises you have given me. In Jesus name, Amen.
At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” Ruth 2:10
Stereotypically speaking, we guys are supposed to run frantically at the mere mention of a love story. But the story of Ruth and Naomi has always been one of my favorite Bible stories. Imagine for a moment what it must have been like for Naomi. Like any mom, she watched her boys grow with hopes of having grandchildren running around the hut someday, hearing the little pitter-patter of feet on the clay floor, etc. etc.
Naomi and her husband moved with their two sons to a far off land due to famine. Naomi’s husband died and left her alone, as a widow. Hard as that must have been for her, she still had hope since her sons had married two wonderful women that Naomi loved dearly. Someday she would be cared for by her sons and she, in turn, could be the grandma she always hoped to be. Then tragedy struck. Both sons died. Naomi was left alone in a foreign land with no family and no hope. Her only recourse was to return to her homeland and hope to find family, and perhaps a life.
One of her daughters-in-law, Ruth, insisted that she go with Naomi. She would rather die with Ruth than to stay in her homeland. That’s loyalty. That’s love! The story gets better when Ruth goes out into the fields and begins to pick up grain after the harvesters came through. She’s noticed by the owner of the field who happens to be related to Naomi. Ruth and found favor in the eyes of Boaz. They fell in love and got married. Naomi finally got her grandson and little could she know that her great-great grandson would be King of Israel. His name? David!
That’s how God works sometimes. He seems to wait until the last possible moment to ‘rescue’ us from bad situations. Naomi could have given up. Ruth could have stayed home and remarried someone from her homeland. Both of these women stepped into the unknown, gave up what little they had and trusted God for the rest. In the midst of their darkest hour God not only provided their immediate needs, He used this situation for good years down the road! We can never know how our decisions for God today will impact our tomorrows.
Don’t let the enemy discourage you. God can use you where ever you are and in whatever circumstance you are in for His glory. Boaz looked on Ruth with favor for no apparent reason and changed Naomi’s and her future. In the same way, God looks on each of His children with favor and wants to change your world. He is preparing you today for whatever you will need to face tomorrow.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, the story of Ruth is one more reminder to me that you are an Awesome God of love and provision. Forgive me for the times I fail to remember how much you love me. Help me to live with the realization that my decisions for today will have an eternal impact on those who go behind me. Help me to trust you completely as I make choices that will draw others into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 