The three little baby cardinals felt safe, warm and cozy as they snuggled close together in the little nest that Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal had built in the pine tree that stood beside Grandpa and Grandma’s house. When mother or father cardinal returned to the nest with a nice, juicy worm, the peace and quiet of this happy little nest was disturbed. What a lot of squawking, chirping and peeping was heard as each little cardinal tried to explain to his parents how very hungry he was and how very good that worm would taste. And with all three baby birds trying to talk at once, you can imagine how difficult it was for anyone to understand them!
This happy little home continued until one night a cold, stormy wind began to blow on the pine tree. The next morning Grandma looked out her window to see what had become of the little cardinal family. She sadly saw that the nest was no longer safely nestled among the branches of the pine tree. Hurrying outside she found the remains of the nest on the ground. Nearby she found one of the little baby birds more lead than alive. Although Grandma searched carefully, she could not find the other two baby birds.
Grandma loved to care for sick or injured little animals, so she gently carried the little baby bird into the warm house and began to care for it. All her care and attention seemed to work wonders for the little baby bird, because in almost no time he was quite healthy again.
Grandpa fixed an old cage as a temporary home, making it as comfortable as he could. He hung the cage in front of the window that looked out at the pine tree. They did everything they could to make the little bird happy in his new home. Grandpa and Grandma always made sure that the baby cardinal had plenty to eat, and it wasn’t long before the little bird was talking to them just the way he had to father cardinal. When they would come near the cage, the little bird would open his beak wide and start his noisy chirping and squawking. A moment later his little tummy was full of good, fresh fruit or tasty seeds.
All this time father cardinal was flying around outside the window trying to get to his baby. But the window which allowed Mr. Cardinal to see the baby bird wouldn’t allow him to fly to his baby’s new home.
Grandpa decided to try an experiment. He took the cage outside, placed it by the pine tree, and opened its door. It wasn’t very long until father cardinal came swooping down from his perch in the tree with a worm for his little baby. Right into the cage he went, fed his hungry baby, and was off again to get more!
With all of this loving care, it was only a short time until a happy, healthy little cardinal was enjoying the freedom of the beautiful blue sky and singing his happy song of thanksgiving.
This happy little story is a reminder of a very solemn verse found in the Bible in the book of Proverbs: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:1212There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12).
No doubt the pine tree seemed like a safe and happy place to care for the little birds. But father and mother cardinal were sadly mistaken, and two of their little babies died in the storm.
God is about to send a storm of judgment on this world because of sin. The Bible has plainly told us that “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). Not even one small sin will ever be allowed in His presence!
Many people seem to be satisfied with their “way” of being safe from this coming “storm,” but we know that there is really only one “way” that God has for man to come into the safety of His presence. The Lord Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6).
The love and care that Grandpa and Grandma showed toward the little cardinal is very small compared to the love that God has shown to you by sending His beloved Son, Jesus, into this world to die for sin. And when you accept the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour, He will care for you all the way home to heaven, because He said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5).
ML-12/15/1985