05.23. Not One Forgotten!
Not One Forgotten!
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:6-7
"No traveler in the middle east will need a long introduction to the sparrow. There are countless numbers of them about you. They are a tame, troublesome and impertinent generation, and nestle just where you don’t want them. They stop up your stove and water pipes, build in the windows and under the beams of the roof, and would stuff your hat full of stubble if they found it hanging in a place to suit them. They are extremely pertinacious in asserting their right of possession, and have not the least reverence for any place or thing. David alludes to these characteristics of the sparrow in Psalms 84:1-12, when he complains that they had appropriated even the altars of God for their nests.
Concerning himself he says, "I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop." When one of them has lost its mate, a matter of every day occurrence, he will sit on the housetop alone, and lament by the hour his sad bereavement. These birds are snared and caught in great numbers, but as they are small and not much relished for food, five sparrows may still be sold for two pennies. And when we see their countless numbers, and the eagerness with which they are destroyed as a worthless nuisance, we can better appreciate the assurance that our Heavenly Father who takes care of them, so that not one can fall to the ground without His notice — will surely take care of us, who are of more value than many sparrows." ("The Land and the Book," by Dr. Thomson)
These words of one long resident in the middle east give us a vivid conception of the illustration which our Lord employs. The individuality of God’s care, and His special providence with regard to every event that concerns us — is the point to which I would direct the attention of the reader. Take it in all its breadth and fullness, and it gives a marvelous view of the Omniscience, the Omnipresence, the infinite goodness and wisdom of our God.
It is no doubt in a special sense true, with respect to the household of faith. They are the friends of Jesus — the children of God’s adoption. It was to them especially, that Jesus spoke, when he uttered the tender assurance of the Father’s care.
Yet what is the whole Scripture from Genesis to the Revelation, but one continuous testimony to the truth of this doctrine? To deny God’s special supervision of man’s affairs, and at the same time to hold the authority and inspiration of the Word, is plainly impossible.
Take but one single Psalm, Psalms 139:1-24, and we cannot but observe the marked particularity with which the Spirit sets forth the great truth which we are considering. It is the individual soul that engages the mind of God. When he arises, when he rests within his house, when he walks by the wayside, when he lies down, what are his thoughts, words, and ways — nothing of all this escapes the searching eye of Him with whom we have to do. "O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in — behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain."
Parallel to this Psalm place such a narrative as that of Ahab. See how true it is with reference to the wicked. While we read the history of this man and Jezebel, the conviction is perpetually forced upon us, that every step in a course of iniquity is before the eyes of the Lord.
Parallel to this Psalm, again, might we place the recorded histories of God’s children. What a silver thread of Divine superintendence and direction may be traced running throughout them! Who but must see the eye and the hand of the All-wise Sustainer guiding Joseph every step of his course?
Why did his brethren spare his life?
Why did the Ishmaelites pass by at the critical moment?
Why was he thrown into the very prison where the king’s prisoners were?
Why did the butler remember him after two years forgetfulness?
Surely we must discern in all this, that "the way of man is not in himself: that it is not in man that walks to direct his steps." And if this were so in the life of Joseph — then why not in the case of all God’s children? Then why not, reader, in your case and mine? The same truth is seen as plainly in the New Testament as in the old. It is taught us in the care which God exercises over every sparrow. It is taught us when our Lord tells us that the good Shepherd goes after the one sheep in the wilderness, and that He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. It is taught by the fact that He called His disciples one by one into fellowship with Himself, and trained each one by a special discipline.
Now if this be so, as we cannot doubt, if there be this specific regard fixed on every one — it shows clearly that we must come and stand out in our individuality before Him who judges us. We cannot lose ourselves in a crowd. We cannot escape His eye amidst ten thousand others. We cannot get rid of our personal responsibility, or by any means shift it upon another’s shoulder. "Every one of us shall give account of himself to God."
Hear the experience of one who had been brought near to death, and then had learned to realize this more than ever before: "I believe from what I have felt when brought very near to the grave, is that the prevailing feeling is that of the great Judge waiting for our soul as if there were no other soul in existence, and we in our naked spirituality, without one relative, earthly friend or well-wisher, about to pass into the darkness and stand before God."
Let then each reader look at religion as a personal matter. Place yourself alone beneath the eye of God. Think of that page in the book of remembrance in which your own particular sins are recorded, and bring the sins written therein to the fountain which has been opened. In the power of the Holy Spirit, you yourself must repent, confess, believe, and love. Behold the uplifted Savior, the true brazen serpent, that all the wounds of your soul may be healed. If hitherto living in the far country, in willful disobedience, in heedless unconcern, or in a whirl of vanity and dissipation, return back to your Father’s house, assured that He has a welcome ready, and that angels wait to rejoice over "one sinner that repents." To remember this truth will also be an exceeding encouragement in secret prayer. Go into your secret chamber, and there all alone with your God, pour out your heart before Him. Keep Him not at a distance, deal not with Him as you would with a stranger — but make Him your confidant. Unfold to Him each sorrow and anxiety, each present trouble, each fear that haunts you as to the future. Your very least concerns, the smallest trifle that disturbs your peace, bring unto Him, even as a child would come to a parent for sympathy and help. Should you feel lonely and desolate, far away from Christian friends in some retired corner of the world, or on board a ship thousands of miles from land, or shut up month after month, unable from ill health to cross the threshold of your door — cast this burden also upon your Father’s heart, and know assuredly that He hears your prayer, even yours; that He is watching you every moment to uphold you and keep you from all harm.
I remember well in visiting a parishioner on one occasion how difficult I found it to gain her attention. She had a little infant just able to creep about the room, and instead of listening to me I saw that her eyes were following the little one along its way, and her thoughts no less occupied with it. I told her that she reminded me of a passage of Scripture, and requested her to take her Bible and open it at 2 Chronicles 16:1-14. I then read to her part of the ninth verse: "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of those who heart is perfect toward Him," then I added: "Just as your eyes run to and fro through this room, that you may help your little one the moment it requires your aid — so our Father in Heaven is ever on the lookout to support those who walk uprightly in His fear." And if this be so at all times, how much more when in prayer your eyes are upon Him — when perhaps all that you can do in your distress, is to turn your suppliant gaze upward, and wait for His promised help. Think not for a moment that He could or would forget to hear and answer your petition. An answer of peace will surely come in due season, and meanwhile there is ever a joy in thus unburdening our griefs before the mercy-seat.
Pray, the Lord is ever near,
Ready still with open ear;
Wait, and He will yet supply
Hope and strength for every fear.
Pilgrim, weeping at the gate,
Hear His message, "Pray and wait."
Remember also this truth of God’s particular providence to strengthen your faith when painful events occur whose meaning you cannot fathom. Many a dispensation is now shrouded in darkness — and we cannot even guess at the purpose for which God has permitted it. A sudden accident takes away the prop of a family — or perhaps the main-stay of the Lord’s cause in a particular neighborhood — or it may be many hundred people are suddenly killed. And unbelief is then apt to creep in, and question the wisdom, or equity, or goodness of the Lord’s dealings. With one whom I knew years ago was this the case. She truly loved her Savior, but her confidence was often sorely tried. Did she hear the report of any great calamity, a shipwreck, a fire in which life was lost, a colliery accident, or the like, the Tempter would suggest to her that there was no over-ruling Providence, or that the God in whom she trusted could not be one whose name was Love.
Still she turned not back, but waited on the Lord; she still leaned on her Savior, and at length through His grace was more than conqueror. As her latter end drew near, all these distressing doubts fled away. Passing through the dark valley of death, she found it illumined with the light of Heaven. In peace she entered into that rest, where we shall learn the secret of all which has most perplexed us on earth.
If any reader be harassed by these fiery darts of the Wicked One, stay not to reason, but fall back on the faithful Word of Christ. In spite of all appearances, doubt not that our Father tenderly, pitifully compassionates His people. Not one is forgotten, not one is uncared for. And if you would have still further assurance of this, you may find it in the death of the Well-beloved. In this have we a conclusive answer to every fear and every doubt. Whatever has happened, whatever may happen, through the love of God Jesus has died to redeem our souls, and to open for us the gates of paradise; hence have we a pledge of His good-will to us, that none can gainsay.
We cannot always trace the way
Where You, our gracious Lord, do move,
But we can always surely say,
That You are love. When mystery shrouds our darkened path,
We’ll check our dread, our doubts reprove:
In this our soul sweet comfort has,
That You are love.
Yes! You are love — a truth like this
Can every gloomy thought remove,
And turn all tears, all woes to bliss:
Our God is love.