Bird Feeders

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)

This year, watching the antics of the birds at the feeders in my yard has enthralled me. Birds swooped down to a branch, then hopped onto the feeder to peck away at succulent seeds. As the little birds darted to and fro, the colours of the rainbow splashed through the greening trees.

Their orderly behaviour astonished me. The ground-feeding doves waited patiently for the greedy, thoughtless blackbirds who dumped seed onto the ground. Then the doves cooed, gently walked along, pecking at the spilled feed, while smaller birds darted down from the canopy to feast. Even when the feeders began to empty, the small birds anxiously waited until the bigger, more aggressive birds fed.

Many smaller birds literally took turns at the feeders. Several times, a male rose-breasted thrush darted to the feeder, then flew back to insert a seed into the beak of his mate. Later in the season, a newly-fledged little one flew with its parent to a nearby branch. The mother or father darted onto the feeder, grabbed a seed, then fed the young bird by inserting the seed into its beak.

Their caring reminded me of our Saviour's words about how much our Creator values us. God cares for us far more than the birds care for their young or we care for one another. How fantastic that God loved us so much that He came in Christ Jesus to ensure that we would remain in His care for all eternity!

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

All we need to do in order to ensure that we participate in God's eternal caring is to ask Him. Jesus promised that His Father hears us when we ask, so we can be certain of God's welcome.

Matthew 7:7-8 – Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (NIV)

Prayer: Father God, we praise You for Your creation and Your love. Just as You lovingly care for the birds, You gave Your love freely through Jesus Christ to us, even though we do not deserve it. Now, in Jesus' holy name, we ask to be a part of that eternal care. Fill us with Your love and Your Holy Spirit, that we might always live for You. Amen.