The Story of a Bird's Nest

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In the city of Hamilton, Ontario, I once, a gang of men were busy putting in a new sewer down one of the main streets. In the course of breaking up the pavement, a big tree had to come down. A workman spied a bird’s nest in one of the branches, so he climbed up to see if there was anything in it. Sure enough there were four little eggs inside.
The foreman decided not to touch the tree for the time being. The workmen were astounded to think that the construction job should be held up for the sake of a bird’s nest. But the foreman said, “No! We can’t disturb that little bird.”
So they went to the other end of the street and started to work back from there, hoping the eggs would be hatched and the little birds gone, by the time they reached the tree again.
After some days the construction crew again arrived at the spot where the tree stood. The nest was still there, so one of the men climbed up to take a look inside. Sure enough, the little birds were gone. He called down to say that only a few broken eggshells were left. The foreman called back up and told him to bring the nest down. So he did, and you know how curious people are! They took the nest apart to see what the bird had used to build it with, and what was their surprise to find at the bottom a small piece of paper with the picture of a sparrow on it. It was a Sunday school paper, and the sweet verse printed on it was, “I will trust, and not be afraid.” Isa. 12:22Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2).
How lovely that was! We believe that God used this little circumstance to speak to the hearts of those men, reminding them that He was their Creator, that He loves all His creatures, and that happy are all they that put their trust in Him. (Psa. 2:1212Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:12).)
But we cannot expect to have His protection and blessing if we continue to live at a distance from Him, and go on in our sins and worldly ways. For while the Bible surely tells us that “God is Love” (1 John 4:1616And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:16)), it also teaches us that “God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:55This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5); “and what communion hath light with daress?” 1 Cor. 6:1414And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. (1 Corinthians 6:14).
What He wants us to do first of all is seek His beloved Son as our Saviour, and then “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:11That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (1 John 1:1). Not only will He fill our hearts with joy and peace, but He will give us the power to overcome temptation and the power of Satan, and to fulfill His word: “Cease to do evil; learn to do well.” Isa. 1:16, 1716Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:16‑17). Then in faith we can say: “BEHOLD, GOD IS MY SALVION; I WILL TRUST, AND NOT BE AFRAID.” Isa. 12:22Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2).
ML 06/28/1959