When was the last time God spoke to you via email? A few weeks ago, I got a random email from someone I barely know. The message included no greeting or closing. Only the words: “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”
Most likely, I received that email by accident, but I recognized God wanted me to get that message because He knew I’d been feeling worried. The troubles I was facing weren’t out of the ordinary, but they’d stolen my peace and made me forget God’s care for me.
I didn’t mention my “email from God’ to anyone, but a few days later when my husband and I visited friends, I got the message again. When our friend handed me a teacup, I saw the words, clear as a bell, on the side of that cup:
“His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”
I knew God wanted me to know He loves and cares for me. And I think He wants you to know it too.
As long as we live on this side of heaven, trouble will be with us. But no matter how big our struggles are, learning to shift our focus away from our trials and towards God is a key to greater faith and peace.
Faith grows when we turn our focus away from trouble and towards our Father
When I read Jesus’ message on worry in the Sermon on the Mount, I see 3 truths about God that reassure my worried, anxious heart. (You can read the whole message in Matthew 6:25-34.)
Our Heavenly Father cares for His children.
“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?” (Matthew 6:26)
We have a compassionate, loving Father who cares even for birds! If God feeds sparrows, how will He not care for us? Jesus goes on to say that if God clothes flowers in beauty, how much more will He not clothe us.
When I call to mind that I have a loving, compassionate Father who cares for even birds and flowers, I’m reassured. Surely, He will care for His children, too.
Our Heavenly Father knows our needs.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” (Matthew 6:31, 32)
God knows your needs whatever they are. God knows if you need a new job. He knows you need finances to pay those bills or strength to stand through the trial you’re facing. God knows your need for hope when you feel depressed, and He knows your need for faith when doubt is knocking on your door.
Jesus said it Himself in Matthew 6:8. “Your father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Our father promises to meet our needs when we seek Him first.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Our job is not to worry about how we can solve our problem, provide for ourselves in our own strength, and map out every minute of our future. Our job is to seek God’s Kingdom first. Of course, work and planning are important, but when we make God our first priority, He makes everything else fall into place.
Friend, if you’re worried about something today, may I reassure you?
Sparrows and flowers are not worth that much in the scheme of the whole universe, but you are the crown of God’s creation, so valuable to your Heavenly Father that He sacrificed His son on the cross to pay for your sins. He’s already met your need for a Savior. He will meet every need you have.
Let’s turn up the worship music and turn to God’s Word to remind us of our Father’s steadfast love and His awesome power to do more than we can imagine or ask for. Let’s flip our fear with the Word of God and step away from worry to fix our eyes on Him. Just for today.
A closer relationship with God helps us walk free from the grip of worry. My book, More of God helps distracted, busy women grow a strong faith in the God who cares for them:
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Bird Photo Credit: Shirley Nortcliffe
I love that verse and I usually start singing the song — His Eye is on the Sparrow. I didn’t hear it until I was a young married but it immediately resonated and it’s still so faith building. This is such a great reminder, Betsy, and one that is life-changing if we make every decision and take every step counting on its truth. That is my life goal! Trust all the way home.
Amen, Lisa. That’s a great goal: Trust all the way home. I keep thinking I need to go back and listen to that song again. Haven’t heard it in years.
Betsy, what a beautiful post. I love how God has that way of sharing the same reminder with us, revealing that yes, He wants us to know that message at that time.
We have been working through a season that has, at times, stirred up the worry in me. As I read your post today, the thing that spoke most to me was knowing that God knows our needs. On every level. I need to remember that and trust Him to provide them in His way and His timing. Thanks for the reminder!
I’m sorry about your season, Jeanne. Believe me when I say I understand. We’re walking through that kind of season ourselves, so this post was really for me. Praying right now that God will show Himself clearly to you each day and meet every need.
What a powerful and neat testimony, Betsy. Girl, you should start of book of these! <3 Indeed, his eye is on us. (Remind me of that the next time I go blubbering about with worry, okay?)
Thanks, Kristi. I appreciate your encouragement. And yes, we can remind each other!
I love how Jesus invited His listeners to observe flowers and birds as a non-starter for worry. Even in the midst of deep winter, there are birds flitting about as a reminder to me that God is not subject to seasons. He can provide even in times that feel barren and fruitless.
I love that thought, Michele! It is so good and true. Nature is a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness.
Wow! I do needed this today! I have been worrying a little lately and I need to stop the worry and set my eyes and my heart completely in God’s love and faithfullness. Loved your post!
Thanks, Tayrina! I’ve been worrying a little lately too, friend. So I wrote this to myself. Glad if it encouraged you as well.
Betsy, I love how God got your attention with the two messages. I also love that Father designed for us to rest. Jesus said Come to Me all who are burdened and I will give you rest. So, both Father and Jesus want us to rest in Him. Oh, and He will look after the things that burden us! I am so glad we serve such a great God!
That’s such a great scripture, Cindy. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Seasons come and seasons go….planting time and harvest times. Waiting for the fruits and they will come
May the Lord bring you into a season of new fruitfulness, Sally!