|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "O How I Love Jesus"1 (Lyrics) |
Genesis 1:20 – Then God said, "Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens." (NASB)
During the week between this past Christmas and New Year's, two white, pea-size eggs were carefully deposited in a nest the dimensions of an enlarged, thumb-sized thimble. The nest had been painstakingly constructed from spider webs and soft plant parts, and was lined with soft plant down, then adorned with bits of gray-green lichen to camouflage it perfectly. However, this nest was in full view on a bare, horizontal branch of a California sycamore tree, the leaves having fallen to the ground.
This phenomenon stirred the attention and hearts of residents and employees alike. A steady line of walkers and wheelchairs came to observe the mother hummingbird keeping the eggs and babies warm after they hatched. For several days, they are unable to generate their own body heat, so the female had to deal with the conflict of gathering food for them, while not being off the nest for long stretches. When the female leaves the nest to forage, she collects nectar, pollen, and tiny insects and returns to the nest, where she regurgitates the energy-rich slurry into the mouths of the nestlings — a magnificent sight!
It was three weeks before the eggs hatched; the total elapsed time from egg-laying to fledging was approximately five to six weeks. When the nestlings finally left the nest, they were completely grown and naturally able to begin foraging on their own. Their human onlookers expressed sadness to see that the two birds and their mother had left the nest.
Observing this miracle of creation, so up-close-and-personal, gave me thought: If God takes care of the birds so lovingly, will He not care for us as well?
Matthew 6:26 – 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? (NIV)
The birds are a witness to God's compassionate, providential care. God feeds the birds. It is virtually a miracle that the birds can sustain themselves. But God is the provider. If so, the birds point us toward God's continual care for us. Jesus used the birds as an illustration of why not to worry. The apostle Peter carries on that theme:
1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (NKJV)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for providing us with this living example of Your creation and providential care for the birds of the air. Grant us the understanding and appreciation of Your continual care for us each and every day. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Lovely Parise, Thank you.
Good illustration of a wonderful truth Parise.
AMEN!
Parise, thank you for writing to us.
Great reading today’s devotional. Your description of how the Lord looks after the birds is a good example of how He will takes care of us.
Really enjoyed this. I have hummingbirds all year right outside my window and they are fascinating.
(B.C.)
To observe such a wonder as you did is like watching a miracle unwind. Awesome –to God be the gloriy for the beautiful world we have a small number of years to observe.
I enjoyed your devotion today. I love watching the hummingbirds and look forward to having them return in early May. We have lots of birds here and I enjoy taking pictures of them as well. They certainly are a great reminder of how God takes care of them and us. What an Awesome God!
What a beautiful devotional; and visual of my favorite little creatures – hummingbirds.
Thank you, Parise. It would have been a delight to witness the activity on that nest.
Blessings, my dear.
Excellently well-done Parise.
I learned a lot about hummingbirds. Yes, they are a great witness to Creation and is but one example how God cares for us.
You certainly gave a lot of thought to this and I pray it touches others as it has touched me.
May The Lord continue to bless your writings.
Hi Parise,
Thank you for that beautiful message today.
I had a similar experience this week as I sat watching Chickadees flying around my garden and feeding on seeds which I had put out for them. These little birds are returning to this frozen part of Canada and are a joy to watch as they flit from tree to tree at great speed.
All praise to God, our loving heavenly Father!
Dear Parise,
You have been blessed to witness such a beautiful event in nature – one of many miracles that display the wonderful works of our Creator. The mother bird’s skills in building an intricate nest, her instinct to keep the eggs warm, and the sense to feed her hatchlings the proper diet, testify to the glory and wisdom of our Heavenly Father as well as His compassionate care and provision for all He has made.
This was an excellent devotional covering a lot of material in just a few short paragraphs. Very well done!
Thank you, Parise, I always enjoy your devotionals. This one was of particular interest, as to how early the hummingbirds nest (it was possibly the Anna’s Hummingbird?). I have been watching with delight some Anna’s in my own backyard here in south-western BC, the female was definitely nesting in the yew tree behind the feeder in early Feb. (but I cannot see the nest). Then we noticed 2 juveniles feeding over the past couple of weeks, and I have learned that they are really early nesters. Yes, it is incredible how the Lord provides for them, even this far north – although this winter was not as harsh as 2013/2014 (the female overwintered both times in the same tree).
The Lord knows our circumstances – and foresees our need! Praise be to the Lord of All.
Blessings.
Dear Parise,
I really enjoy your devotional “A Wonder Of Creation”.
Thank you/