6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Believer, there is no need to run, no need to be fearful, no need to be terrified! We are getting ready to be encouraged today and I am looking forward to it myself! I was recently reading a book the other day which defined the Hawaiian word “aloha”. It is made up of two words “alo” which is “divine” and “ha” which is “breath”. It quite literally means “divine breath” so as you speak this over someone you are saying “may the presence of divine breath be with you today”. I believe our verses for today will give us an “aloha” day indeed! We find in Scripture where Jesus again states:
26 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? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matt 6:26-27 (NIV)
24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:23-24 (NIV)
Jesus desires for us to live a life of faith not fear. We are far more valuable than the birds of the air. In that day, sparrows were sold for a small amount – five birds for two pennies – and not one of them is “forgotten by God” Scripture states. Many passages flood my mind right now on God’s love for us. One is especially tender to me:
15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:15-16 (NIV)
Believer, we have been engraved on His hands – we are not forgotten! The prophet Zephaniah boldly proclaims to us:
17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph 3:17 (NIV)
What an awesome promise! The God of all creation will quiet us with His love and rejoice over us with singing! Think about that for a minute (or a day, or a life!) Dwell on the fact that He is always faithful to His promises and loving towards all He has made. (If that won’t give you an “Aloha” day I don’t know what will!) Another sweet verse that brings me much comfort (probably because I always sat in my Daddy’s lap!) is found in Deuteronomy:
"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." Deut 33:12 (NIV)
26 "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. 27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut 33:26-27 (NIV)
“Why should I be discouraged? Why should shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion, my constant friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when song gives place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” Civilla D. Martin
“God does not give us overcoming life; He gives life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain there is no strength. Are you asking God to give you life and liberty and joy? He cannot, unless you will accept the strain. Immediately you face the strain, you will get the strength.” Oswald Chambers
“Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.” Saint Augustine
3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; 4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Prov 24:3-4 (NIV)
“Aloha”