By Pastor Don Schatz

God Cares for Us

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud Link.

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?”
Matthew 6:26. English Standard Version

Do you know the song from “Mary Poppins”?  “Feed the birds….”  If you do, and you can’t get that song out of your head for the rest of the day, I do not apologize!  It will be a good way to carry with you the reminder that God cares for you.

As we continue our foray into a new year (whether happily, timorously, or kicking-and-screaming), we are reminded today that if God takes care of the birds, how much more valuable to him are we?  God sent his Son even to the cross and grave for us.  We can trust him for our daily needs.

I like to feed the birds.  I have various kinds of feeders, for the different ways that various bird species like to feed.  I have hummingbird feeders also.  It never ceases to amaze me how territorial hummingbirds are.  One will sit by the feeder and chase away others.

Jesus says, “Are you not of more value than they [birds]?”  Yes, it is a rhetorical question.  And Christ’s obvious point is that as a result of this truth, we can trust God to care for us.  There is a Children’s Hymn which I often shared at grave-side services.  The first two verses read:

I am Jesus’ little lamb, Ever glad at hear I am;

For my Shepherd gently guides me, Knows my need and well provides me,

Loves me ev’ry day the same, Even calls me by my name.

Day by day, at home, away, Jesus is my Staff and Stay.

When I hunger, Jesus feeds me, Into pleasant pastures leads me;

When I thirst, He bids me go Where the quiet waters flow.

Feed the birds?  Our heavenly Father wrote the book!  Trust him.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado