Notes on Hope Devotional

Look at the Birds 

Matthew 6:25-27 (NIV)
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Most mornings, I enjoy sitting outside to sip my coffee, listen, read, and pray. As the butterflies and birds fly by, I fix my eyes on one or two birds that land on the top of my fence and perch. They look around and sometimes sit for a few minutes. When they fly off, they swoop into the air and head to a branch on my neighbor’s tree. When I read these words Jesus spoke, we are reminded to look at the birds to see His tender, loving, and gentle care for us.

The lyrics of the hymn, “His Eye is On the Sparrow,” offer hope, encouragement, and peace, knowing we are seen, cared for, and loved.

Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches
I know He watches
I know He watches me
I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me (He watches me)
He watches me
(Written by Civilla Martin, 1905)

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for caring for me in such a loving way. Help me remember to look at the birds to see evidence of Your care. When my mind runs to worry, let me run to You. Thank You for keeping Your promise.
In Your Mighty Name, Amen.