LOOK at the sweet little birds on the branches among the pretty flowers, and down at the water’s edge! How many are there of them? One, two, three, four, five—as many as you have fingers on one hand! Yes, and there is the reflection of one in the water! How contented and happy they all look! They have no thought of care. They do not in summer lay by in store for the winter as the bees, the ants, the squirrels and many other creatures do.
Who gives them their food? Who cares for them?
You will, no doubt, answer, “It is God who cares for the little birds,” and that is quite right. I would like to have you turn to Matt. 6:2626Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (Matthew 6:26), and read these words “Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Now turn to Luke 12:2424Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? (Luke 12:24) and read; “Consider the ravens; for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them; how much more are ye better than the fowls?”
Are not these verses beautiful? If you will turn to them in your own Testament and read them, I think they will be precious to you. Take time to think a little about them when you read. There’s no sowing, no reaping for the birds of the air; no gathering into barns, no storing up of food. No, these things are not needed, for God feedeth them.
But notice, God calls special attention to the raven; He says, “Consider the ravens”; and in the book of Job, He speaks of providing for the raven his food, and in Psalms of giving food “to the young ravens which cry.” Why does God speak so often of feeding the ravens and caring for them? If you will give heed for a few minutes I will try to tell you. God in this, is showing out the perfection of His character. He cares for all His creatures, He feeds all the birds. But there are “unclean and hateful birds”; does God feed these? Yes, every species of the raven is unclean and God mentions the raven that we may know that He does not because of their uncleanness allow them to suffer.
Another thing God would teach us in these beautiful verses, is, that you, dear boys and girls, who read this paper, are of more value than the raven or the sparrow, and God cares for you. Whether you are saved or unsaved, He makes His sun to shine upon you, and sends rain to water the earth and make it bring forth for you. But, far more, He has given His own dear Son that you might have everlasting life, if only you believe on Him as the One who has suffered for your sins. Then, though your sins have been as scarlet, they will be made white as snow. Have you thought of His love and His care? Do you trust Him?
How many of you can say, Jesus is mine? R.
ML 09/02/1900