Look At The Birds!

By: Joanne Viola

As I write this, it is early morning and the windows are opened. The rain is gently falling and the sweet sound of birds chirping is filling my ears.

 

My soul is reminded to trust God in all things:

"Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" (Matthew 6:26-27, NLT)

We know we are to place our cares in God’s hands, yet at times, we tend to our own cares until we are no longer able, and then place them in His hands.

Jesus reminded His disciples, and us today, to trust in God for provisions. If He tends to the least – the birds – then, He will tend to the more valuable – His people.

My devotional brings a timely reminder:

“Lord, what Thou sayest is true. Greater is Thy care for me than all the care which I am able to take for myself. For too insecurely doth he stand who casteth not all his care upon Thee.”
(Thomas A. Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Book 3, Chapter 17)

What are we to do with our cares?

• Cast them to the Lord. We cannot solve all our concerns in our own strength. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you“ (1 Peter 5:7, NIV). In fishing, casting is throwing the fishing line and bait, as far out into the water as one is able. We can cast our cares on God because we trust His care for us. God is not indifferent to us, and He will sustain us in the midst of everything which concerns us.
• Pray about them. God invites us to pray about everything. Tell Him your worries. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6, NIV). We tend to pray about the bigger issues in life and attempt to handle the smaller on our own – until they become the bigger issues. Paul reminds us to bring everything and anything to God in prayer, for all things matter to Him.

Casting our concerns upon God in prayer brings wonderful results:

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, NIV)

We are assured God’s peace as we cast our concerns to God in prayer. Circumstances and needs may not necessarily change immediately, but change occurs in us. We are filled with God’s peace because …

“Greater is Thy care for me
than all the care which I am able to take for myself!”

Photo by Przemyslaw Reinfus on Unsplash