Be Brave Fellow Sparrow
“Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s permission. Every hair on your head has been counted. Don’t be afraid! You are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:28-31).
Psychology Today records the five most common fears among Americans are: (1) Arachnophobia (fear of spiders), (2) Glossophobia (fear of speaking in public), (3) Aerophobia (fear of flying), (4) Claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), and (5) Acrophobia (fear of heights).
Look at our most common fears. The common thread is the fear of death. Jesus told the disciples not to be afraid even though they faced the threat of death.
A wholesome fear of death is a preservative of life. It inspires a healthy value of life, and the value of protecting it. An inordinate fear of death is not healthy. It inspires fear. It is reasonable not to fear even the threat of death. Consider the worth of a little sparrow as compared to your value. If, and He does, care for a worthless sparrow, surely He values you even more. The song “His Eye is on the Sparrow” was written by Civilla Martin, the wife of a Baptist Pastor. She described in her own words how she came to write the song. “In the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship with a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for over twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheelchair. 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 the secret of their joy in the midst of pain. Mrs. Doolittle’s reply was simple: ‘If His eye is on the sparrow, then I know He watches me.‘” Take heart in these words.
“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.
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.”
We live in a challenging time with fearful threats. The whole world is trembling. Remember Jesus has given us assurances and appealed to us not to be afraid. It is a witness of our confidence in His sufficiency, our belief in His promise to care for us in life and even death.
The extent of God’s watchful care for you is found in that little word “fall.” According to Bible commentator William Barclay, Jesus’ word “fall” in this verse signifies more than the bird’s death. The Aramaic meaning is “to light upon the ground.” In other words, “fall” here indicates every little wounded hop a tiny bird makes. That speaks of God’s finite concern for and care of you.
Peace is possible only for those who look at life through the lense of Scripture. Remember, His eye is on the sparrow, giving assurance He watches over you.