The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Every Living Thing"
Presently, the sparrow is considered to be the most abundant bird in the world (numbering an estimated 1.6 billion). Consider this when pondering the words of the Lord Jesus Christ:
"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing (3/8 of a cent)? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father" (Matthew 10:29).
I find this one of the most fascinating statements in Scripture. What does it mean that no sparrow falls without our Heavenly Father? Certainly, the Lord implies more than simply the Father's presence at His creatures' passing. That is a given in a creation filled with the presence of God (Psalm 139:7-10). Indeed, if "a righteous man regardeth the life of his beast," how much more does the Lord of righteousness look upon His birds - and all those He made - with a regard that proceeds from a Heart of loving devotion, affection, and sympathy? (Matthew 12:10). "The Lord is good to all, and His tendermercies are over all His works" (Psalm 145:9).
Such a consideration raises many questions for which we may find few answers. However, it also bears witness to a certainty we must embrace and plant within our hearts: "The Lord is good." Yes, before and above anything else we must know about our God, His goodness leads the way. Or rather, the perfection of His sublime character and nature of loving devotion to others must guide everything we believe about Him. Consider, for example, the contemplation of God as our Creator if He were not good. Or ponder the exercise of His power apart from goodness… Or His righteousness… His holiness… His grace… His wrath… His sovereignty… His mercy… His chastening… His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding… His purpose… His presence… His all. If God is not good in His essence, these Biblically declared characteristics and ways become the most frightening contemplations we can ponder. He would exercise them for selfish, rather than loving purposes, ultimately dooming us all. Thankfully, Scripture bears continual witness to the centrality of God's goodness. I Corinthians 13 serves as perhaps the most definitive witness that with our Lord, character precedes capability. Thereby, who He is guides everything He does. "Thou art good and doest good" (Psalm 119:68).
God attends the passing of a sparrow. Amid the questions such a sublime thought raises, the most profound truth of all shines its brilliant light upon and within our hearts. The Lord is good. Where else, then, would He and His glorious heart be when one of His creatures falls?
"But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee, and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee. Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing."
(Job 12:7-10)
Weekly Memory Verse
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
(Galatians 5:25)
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