We hardly notice sparrows. The death of a single sparrow would likely be too trifling for us to note. And yet Jesus said that even seemingly so insignificant an occurrence as a sparrow’s falling to the ground is a thing of which God takes account. (Matthew 10:29-31) Not one sparrow can perish without the knowledge and consent of a loving Father. The Creator of the whole universe has a will regarding even one sparrow. God Himself is a participating presence, a God “who is there,” even in this tiny event in His world.
Jesus went on instructing His twelve disciples: “You are of more value than many sparrows.” If our Creator knows, and cares about, each and every sparrow to such a degree, how much moreso must He know us? We are each infinitely precious in our Father’s sight, and He knows every detail about us, even to “the number of hairs on your head.” (Matthew10:30) Jesus told His followers to therefore, “Fear not.” Nothing can happen to us without His knowledge and His consent, and His participating presence as our Savior. He has a will for each sparrow, and He has a will - a specific plan and purpose - for me, and for you.
God is a God of purpose. Creation was no accident, but was the expression of a definite purpose in His heart. Our divine Maker has made us for something. He has made us “according to the good pleasure (and kind intent) of His will.” (Ephesians 1:5) Since He has made us for something, would it not seem to be essential for us to find out what His purpose is so that we may wholeheartedly aim toward its accomplishment?
I once walked through a museum full of exhibitions of machinery. I would stop at one and wonder, “What is this for?” I’d muse over another, “What could that be for?” I was sure the maker of the machine intended for it to accomplish something specific - for why make a machine that is not meant to accomplish something? We can never begin to understand a complicated machine until we know what purpose its designer and maker had for it.
The writer of the letter to the Ephesians continued, describing the “something” that God made us for: “that we might be to the praise and commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy) which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6) The purpose in God’s heart for us “from before the foundation of the world” was that we be adopted to Himself, consecrated and set apart for Him in love. (Ephesians 1:4) To make us into His own image, and able to be one with Himself, is the object of God’s workmanship. May we willingly respond to so loving and good a will for us, for nothing short of this will accomplish His divine purpose in our creation. Do you doubt that a purpose for your good could be His plan for you, that He cares specifically about you? Remember His sparrows!
God is a God of purpose. Creation was no accident, but was the expression of a definite purpose in His heart. Our divine Maker has made us for something. He has made us “according to the good pleasure (and kind intent) of His will.” (Ephesians 1:5) Since He has made us for something, would it not seem to be essential for us to find out what His purpose is so that we may wholeheartedly aim toward its accomplishment?
I once walked through a museum full of exhibitions of machinery. I would stop at one and wonder, “What is this for?” I’d muse over another, “What could that be for?” I was sure the maker of the machine intended for it to accomplish something specific - for why make a machine that is not meant to accomplish something? We can never begin to understand a complicated machine until we know what purpose its designer and maker had for it.
The writer of the letter to the Ephesians continued, describing the “something” that God made us for: “that we might be to the praise and commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy) which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6) The purpose in God’s heart for us “from before the foundation of the world” was that we be adopted to Himself, consecrated and set apart for Him in love. (Ephesians 1:4) To make us into His own image, and able to be one with Himself, is the object of God’s workmanship. May we willingly respond to so loving and good a will for us, for nothing short of this will accomplish His divine purpose in our creation. Do you doubt that a purpose for your good could be His plan for you, that He cares specifically about you? Remember His sparrows!
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