“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee.”
Joshua 1:9
Every fall about two million birds fly south along North America’s west coast, coming down from the Arctic, Yukon and western Canada. Many make long rest stops at the Klamath Basin Wildlife Refuge at the border of Oregon and California. Thousands of these birds are Canada geese and snow geese.
For many of these birds, the Klamath Refuge is the end of their trip, and they stay there until returning north in the spring. Others remain there the whole year. It is estimated that 100,000 snow geese, great numbers of Canada geese, and smaller numbers of other varieties account for these great bird masses.
Flight groups never get mixed up or show any uncertainty as to where they are going. Each individual bird and each group follows its own “flyway” year after year on their flights south. But when they fly north in the spring, most take entirely different routes. Their God-given instincts apparently direct them to follow the winds and air currents most favorable in each direction.
We might also ask, “How is it possible for these heavy birds to make such amazing flights?” When the Creator provided them with migration instincts, He also gave them bodies with extra-strong bones having hollow centers which are filled with air. This not only reduces their weight, but an ample air supply is provided along with additional air-storage sacs in their bodies - all that the strenuous flying requires and which could not be supplied only through breathing at the high altitudes.
But that’s not all that’s special! Numbers of them, flying in V-formation, have not had any training. This is a God-given instinct which serves an important purpose. By flying a little above and behind the next bird forming the “V,” a goose benefits by the lifting help of air currents formed by the beating wings of those in front. The farther behind in the “V,” the more it benefits from this lift. But the lead bird at the front does not have this help. When he tires, he drops to the very back, and one of the two that were closest behind him moves up to the front until he gets tired. Then he drops to the back, and another one moves up to take his place. This goes on during the whole flight - all the birds readjusting their positions automatically.
Birds do not know that their Creator is always watching over them. But boys and girls and men and women who know Him as their Saviour can always have peace of mind no matter what happens. Our beginning verse assures us that our Creator is always watching over us and will never leave us.
Do you know personally this One who loves you this much?
ML-10/23/2005