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 all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:28-31
The temptation to worry is always with us. The stress and trouble of living in an imperfect world marred by sin create uncertainty and doubt. The devil whispers to us that we are abandoned and that God does not care. But He does care. In every circumstance and situation God is fully aware and in control of what is happening. Though we have limits to the number of things we can pay attention to and care about, God is infinite. He not only knows every detail of the lives of every person in the world but even tracks the smallest birds and everything else.
Not all of the things that happen to us are pleasant or make sense to us. But every one of them has a purpose known to God. J. C. Ryle wrote, “Nothing whatsoever, whether great or small, can happen to a believer, without God’s ordering and permission. There is no such thing as ‘chance,’ ‘luck’ or ‘accident’ in the Christian’s journey through this world. All is arranged and appointed by God. And all things are ‘working together’ for the believer’s good.”
The same God who made everything in the beginning is still actively involved in all aspects of the world. He knows what is best and He never abandons us. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10). Every time we see a bird we can be reminded of God’s love and care, and the faithfulness of His promises.
